Nov 8 Wed
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last.
Only by faith can we see how the earthly and heavenly city exist together and relate to each other. This is a mystery within human history – a history that will continue to be influenced by sin until the end of the world.
The Church pursues her own purpose, which is salvation, and keeps on distributing divine life to all. She also takes the light that comes from God and reflects it, so that it shines onto every part of the earth. Most of all, she does this by declaring and defending the dignity of the human person, by strengthening the bonds that hold human society together, and by infusing a deeper meaning and importance into the daily human activities. Thus, the Church believes that, by each individual member and by her as a community, she can give great contributions to the family of men, and make history more human.
While the Church helps the world, and receives help from the world, she has only one end in view: the kingdom of God, and the salvation of all mankind. Whatever contribution the Church has given to the human race, it is because the Church herself is the universal instrument (sacrament) of salvation. She both manifests God’s love for man, and puts it into action.
For the Word of God, through whom all things were made, became flesh so that, being a perfect man, he could save mankind and sum up all things in himself. The Lord is the end towards which human history is heading. He is the point at which the yearnings of history and civilization converge. He is the center of the human race, the fulfillment of all joys and all desires. He is the One whom the Father has raised from the dead, resurrected, and seated at his right hand, making him the judge of the living and the dead.
The Holy Spirit was sent to us, to unite and give us life. Thus, we journey on our pilgrimage towards the consummation of human history, and the fulfillment of the plan of God. This plan is to bring everything together under Christ, as Head, everything in the heavens and everything on earth. It begins with us, our seeking sanctity, and it continues with our apostolate in the middle of the world. As long as we are alive, beginning again and again.
The Lord himself has said: ‘Very soon, I shall be with you again, bringing the reward to every one according to what he deserves. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.’
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