Introductory Prayer: Christ my king, create in me a deep nostalgia for my true homeland, heaven. Allow me to perceive the beauty of your kingdom so that I may dedicate the rest of my life like St. Paul to its growth.

Petition: Mary, what a joy and honor it is to be united in time and eternity with such a king, help my heart to swell, help my eyes to be fixed evermore on him, and help my weak will to work hard for his reign in my heart and the hearts of all people.

Gospel: Mk 13:24-32

"But in those days, after that time of distress, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light, the stars will come falling out of the sky and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then he will send the angels to gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the world to the ends of the sky. Take the fig tree as a parable: as soon as its twigs grow supple and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. So with you when you see these things happening: know that he is near, right at the gates. In truth I tell you, before this generation has passed away all these things will have taken place. Sky and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. But as for that day or hour, nobody knows it, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son; no one but the Father."

1. "and then They Will See the Son of Man Coming in the Clouds with Great Power and Glory."

St. Paul exclaims, "Our homeland is in heaven" (Philippians 3:20). This reality warms the heart! Nevertheless most people today do not really believe that Christ will actually come, neither for them personally after death nor at the end of time. Pleasures, comforts, hobbies, opinions plague the human heart and thus pride, sensuality and vanity blur the mind.

To refresh our longing for Christ's coming to our hearts and his second coming as king, we must deny ourselves and do battle against our egotism. The typical mistake of the modern wayfarer is to live disoriented and seduced, thinking he has made it while perhaps in reality he is only moving away from him alone who gives sense to life God! He, who treads outside the path, runs further away from his final destination.

2. "Know that He Is Near, at the Very Gates."

"Those who died in God's grace and friendship and are perfectly purified live forever with Christ. They are like God forever, for they see him as he is face to face" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, # 1023). Something extraordinary awaits the faithful Christian after death. St. Paul describes that truth simply as: "Now we see only reflections in a mirror, mere riddles, but then we shall be seeing face to face" (1 Corinthians 13:12).

There is so much to long for and hope for, nevertheless we forget the immense treasure that lies ahead because of the difficulties we face everyday. The tots are hungry, the house is a mess, the boss is grouchy, the neighbor is angry, the lawnmower doesn't work, the switch is stuck, and the drains are clogged.

One thought should penetrate the Christian to the marrow: Christ Jesus himself, present in the tabernacle and in heaven, wants to share his trials with me. Scripture is eloquent"

My brothers, consider it a great joy when trials of many kinds come upon you, for you well know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance, and perseverance must complete its work so that you will become fully developed, complete, not deficient in any way (James 1:2-4).

3. The Path to Heaven.

Love is the only path to heaven. Love is not a feeling, it is not an emotion, it is not a nice high. Love is total self giving to the other person, never counting the cost. Love is to recognize our misery, littleness, nothingness and give it all to the other not expecting anything in return. Only Christ shows us the way to love God and neighbor with that fullness he himself lived and taught. The love that Christ brought us makes life a foretaste of heaven despite its difficulties. Why? Because when we practice it, we bring God into our lives, he walks with us and becomes our strength, our constant companion, our hope and our consolation.

Conversation with Christ: Lord Jesus, I often become restless for many different reasons. I am weak and I complain about every ache or pain. Today is a new chance you give me to believe and love you better. Lord, make me able to say with the St. Paul: "When I am weak then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12:10).

Questionnaire:  This optional questionnaire is intended to help you evaluate your life in light of the inspirations God just gave you in these moments you spent with him in prayer.

1. Knowing that what separates me from Christ separates me from my true homeland, what things, attractions, sins do I put up with in my day to day life?

2. What do I complain about most? What crosses and sacrifices am I avoiding at present in my life?

3. What have I done during this past week out of love for Christ and my neighbor? What have I done on the other hand out of sheer love of self?