"We know that there are three comings of the Lord. The third lies between the other two. It is invisible, while the other two are visible. In the first coming he was seen on earth, dwelling among men; he himself testifies that they saw him and hated him. In the final coming 'all flesh will see the salvation of our God, and they will look on him whom they pierced.' The intermediate coming is a hidden one; in it only the elect see the Lord within their own selves, and they are saved. In his first coming our Lord came in our flesh and in our weakness; in this middle coming he comes in spirit and in power; in the final coming he will be seen in glory and majesty." (St. Bernard)

How attentive are we of his present coming? Only those with a keen eye of faith can appreciate this invisible coming of the Lord. As St. Paul says, "we live by faith and not by sight." He comes today in his Word, which we hear, receive and respond to in faith. He comes to us in the Eucharist though we see bread and wine. He comes to us in the silence ;of prayer. He comes to us in one another, especially in those who are sharing in his divine life. Remember his first coming with gratitude. Prepare for his second coming with longing expectation. Connect the two by living a life worthy of your calling as his adopted sons and daughters. Then the first will have meaning and the third will be an eternal blessing.