Now that 2012 is finally upon us, the whole Mayan Calendar thing is being mocked like never before. A few examples that I’ve seen quite a bit on Facebook this past week:

It’s funny. I get it. And I certainly agree that no exact-date end of the world “prophecy” should be taken seriously. But all jokes aside, the fact is that the end will come for all of us, maybe even sometime soon, and we should be preparing for it.

So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come (Mt. 24:44)

While we should never get caught up in end of the world date guessing, it is good to keep the end in mind and constantly as ourselves, “what am I doing to prepare myself to welcome the Bridegroom? Am I storing up treasures in heaven or am I trying to have it all here? Am I responding to God’s grace and nourishing my soul with the medicines of prayer, Scripture, Sacraments and holy fellowship so that my soul stands a chance?”

“Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man” (Lk. 21:34-36).