Today, immersed in the month of November, during which the Church reminds us of the eternal truths, the "Parable of the wise and foolish virgins" introduces the theme of "The Judgment". At the conclusion of the central section of the Church's great "Credo" —the part that recounts the mystery of Christ— we find the phrase: "He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead".

From the earliest times, the prospect of the Judgment has influenced Christians in their daily living as a criterion by which to order their present life, as a summons to their conscience, and at the same time, as hope in God's justice. Faith in Christ has never looked merely backwards or merely upwards, but always also forwards to the hour of justice that the Lord repeatedly proclaimed. This looking ahead has given Christianity its importance for the "present" moment.

—O Jesus, grant me to live the present with an operative faith, with deeds and truly, while responsibly awaiting the hour of the Spouse.