***
The Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard once wrote a story about a travelling circus that was moving throughout the Danish countryside.
One evening just before the show was about to begin, the circus tent caught fire.
The first person to notice was a clown already dressed for his evening performance. In a panic, he ran to the neighboring village pleading for help.
“The circus is on fire! The circus is on fire!” He screamed. But the more he pleaded for help, the harder the villagers laughed.
They thought he was trying to attract attention for his next performance.
Eventually the fire spread, engulfing the entire village.
***
The villagers were warned, but they didn’t listen. They rejected the messenger.
***
In the Gospel, Jesus warns us about the end of the world. “The end is coming! The end is coming!” he says. “Prepare yourselves to be judged.”
Do we listen?
***
Jesus not only promises to judge us at the end of time; he also tries preparing us along the way.
That voice of affirmation, that plea for forgiveness, that unexpected gift – all attempts at softening our hearts.
Above all, he is that soft whisper that speaks to our conscience.
***
As we prepare for Advent once again, may we train our hearts to see the Lord – not only at the end of our lives, but every day in between.
I wonder, then, where and how he will appear to us today.