Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children

Just as it is appointed that human beings die once, and after this the judgment, so also Christ, offered once to take away the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to take away sin but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await him.

Our faith is bookended by the two comings of Christ. At the beginning is Jesus’ incarnation, which we celebrate at Christmas. It was the moment in time when God came down from heaven and became one of us. At the end of time, Jesus will come a second time, but instead of the focus being on him entering our world, it will be upon us entering into salvation. The second coming is what we pray for during mass and it is what we hope for with all our hearts, because the second coming will unite us with God in a joyful feast that will last forever and ever. Our faith is one of past, present, and future. It looks to the past for guidance from the Word Made Flesh. It is grounded in the present in the celebration of the Mass and the sacraments. And it gazes into the future with anticipation of the second coming and the fulfillment of our destiny to be ruled by Christ our King and Savior.

What can we learn from Jesus’ life that will help us to live holier lives? How can we celebrate God’s love for us today, tomorrow, and all the days that remain to us? Do we pray with all our hearts for the second coming of Jesus and look forward to what it will be like to remain in the presence of God forever and ever?

O Lord, take away our sins and bring salvation to us.

Amen.