Reflection on the Sunday of the Last Judgment

A few weeks ago, on Zacchaeus Sunday, we marked the end of the Sundays after Pentecost. Then, with the feast of the Meeting of the Lord, we marked the end of the Nativity season. Now, with the Sunday of the Last Judgment, we mark the end of time itself. Today, and throughout this coming week, we are called to examine our conscience as if we were standing before the dread throne. Seeing how far we are from God, beholding all the commandments we have left unfulfilled, witnessing all the virtues we have not practiced, we will be better prepared to start anew during the coming forty days. By condemning ourselves on this Sunday of the Last Judgment, we hope by Christ’s mercy to avoid condemnation when the Last Judgment truly unfolds.