Catechism of the Catholic Church

671 Though already present in his Church, Christ's reign is nevertheless yet to be fulfilled "with power and great glory" by the King's return to earth. ⁵⁵⁶ This reign is still under attack by the evil powers, even though they have been defeated definitively by Christ's Passover. ⁵⁵⁷ Until everything is subject to him, "until there be realized new heavens and a new earth in which justice dwells, the pilgrim Church, in her sacraments and institutions, which belong to this present age, carries the mark of this world which will pass, and she herself takes her place among the creatures which groan and travail yet and await the revelation of the sons of God." ⁵⁵⁸ That is why Christians pray, above all in the Eucharist, to hasten Christ's return by saying to him: ⁵⁵⁹ Marana tha! "Our Lord, come!" ⁵⁶⁰

672 Before his Ascension Christ affirmed that the hour had not yet come for the glorious establishment of the messianic kingdom awaited by Israel ⁵⁶¹ which, according to the prophets, was to bring all men the definitive order of justice, love and peace. ⁵⁶² According to the Lord, the present time is the time of the Spirit and of witness, but also a time still marked by "distress" and the trial of evil which does not spare the Church ⁵⁶³ and ushers in the struggles of the last days. It is a time of waiting and watching. ⁵⁶⁴