The readings present a scary scenario of the end-times: of distress unparalleled in history; a dark imagery of tribulations on earth and turmoil in the heavens.

But at the heart of it is that silver lining in the dark cloud: the glorious Lord comes to gather His chosen and faithful ones from all corners of the earth. These are those who have been buoyed up in the hope of God's final victory over sin.

Encouraged by this vision full of promise, we can accept more readily our responsibilities to be alert and be a consolation to all who may not yet have been entrusted with this task to instruct others, until the Lord returns in glory, "will shine like stars for all eternity."

The earliest enunciation of the resurrection of the dead is in Dan. 12:2. There is the assurance that we are already saved by the Lord: our sins have been forgiven and He has gained our access to the Father: This, our firm belief, is what we profess each time we recite the Credo, on the Lord's day.