"Console one another with these words"

Today’s first reading (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) is a familiar one, for in it is described what is often called “the Rapture”.

For the Lord himself,
with a word of command,
with the voice of an archangel
and with the trumpet of God,
will come down from heaven,
and the dead in Christ will rise first.

Then we who are alive, who are left,
will be caught up together with them
in the clouds
to meet the Lord in the air.

The power, the thrill, and the truth of these words is undeniable

But the words that follow are much, much more important.

Thus we shall always be with the Lord.

Therefore, console one another with these words.

The moment when Christ returns and brings us to Himself will be wonderful beyond words (Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, be merciful to me – a sinner).

But that will be only a moment.

Infinitely more important and infinitely more wonderful will be our being with Christ forever and ever in an everlasting and ever more glorious journey into Love itself.

The “Rapture” is one thing, but eternal Beatitude will be infinite.

Thus we shall always be with the Lord.

Therefore, console one another with these words.