“In A Flash”

Lightening is very interesting. It is really hot (~50,000 degrees °F …. 5 times the temperature of the sun). It travels very fast (~260 million miles per hour–1/3 the speed of ligh). Thunder that accompanies lightening is like a sonic boom that can be as loud as a gunshot or jet taking off. All in all, a lightening strike can sneak up on you and before you can even think, it has hit…..CRAAAAAAKKKKKK….BOOOOOM.

Jesus uses the analogy of lightening in today’s gospel, “For just as lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day.” (Luke 17:20-25) Woe. When the Lord returns to earth, it’s going to be “instantaneous”.

We won’t get an e-mail announcing the Lord’s return and that a study group will be meeting next Tuesday to discuss it. While the Lord does give us warning and time to prepare, once God decides it’s time, CRAAAAAAKKKKKK …. BOOOOOM.

As I age I can tend to think that I’ve seen a lot, I’ve been around the block, I know quite a bit about life, and even quite a bit about the Lord. In some ways this is true; I have seen a few things in my almost 80 years. But in another very important way, I need to be attentive and ready and repentant. In another way, “I’ aint seen nothin yet”. I haven’t died and been before the judgement seat of the Lord. I need to be on my game…always ready to listen to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is preparing each of us for that time when the lightening cracks. We need to listen carefully as the Holy Spirit prepares us. 

As Jesus reminds us, “therefore, be on the alert, be prepared and ready, for you do not know the day nor the hour when the Son of Man will come.”(Mt. 25:13) Let’s stay on our spiritual toes.