Cycle B, Year II
18 November
2012: 33rd
Sunday in
Ordinary Time
(Liturgical color: Green)
Mark 13:24-32
Getting ready!
A journey of a thousand miles starts with a first step. And no matter the distance, the journey will end with the last step someday. That was my opening statement in my farewell note to my colleagues some years ago as I decided to leave the corporate world earlier than my mandatory retirement.
As the Church's liturgical year comes to a close, the readings speak of the end of times, or the end of the story of our salvation.
In today's gospel Jesus tells us that one thing is certain. This world will not last forever. But for Christians that is not really the end of everything. Because Jesus our Lord will come again in glory to bring the kingdom of God in all its fullness.
Using apocalyptic language and imagery, the evangelist Mark describes the events on the last day. The images are not meant to be understood in literal sense, but instead they point to deeper truths.
What are the truths that these images on the end of the world are teaching us? Let us reflect on these deeper truths as guides to good Christian living.
The first truth is that our world as we experience it is destined to end someday. Well, it's not necessarily because the world is getting sinful, but because God has a bigger and better purpose for creation. From the beginning of time God has destined us for something much better than our present world. That is why whatever blessings we have in this world are only a prelude to greater blessings for us in the life to come. Thus, we look forward to the end of time as just a passage to a better reality.
The second truth: Jesus' kingdom will be brought to completion in the second coming. In the first time that Jesus came it was in simplicity and humility as he chose to be born in a manger. Because Jesus does not want to force his kingship upon anyone of us. Instead he wants that it be our personal choice to accept or reject him as he comes like us in all things but sin.
But it will be a different story in the second coming. Mark says he will come "with great power and glory." At that time there won't be any doubt as to who is the King of kings and Lord of lords. In other words, no one will wonder or question about the identity of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The third truth: Jesus will render final judgement at the end of time. He will gather the people of every time and place for this judgement day. He will call to him those judged worthy of heaven. It will be a great and glorious day for his faithful followers. And the joy, peace and union with God will be beyond our wildest imagination.
Finally, woe to those who refuse until the very last moment of their existence God's offer of mercy, love and new life. Perhaps, this group may include even the "practical atheists", a new term used by our new Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle to describe those who profess faith in Jesus but live their lives as if God does not exist at all. They will receive their just punishment for their unbelief.
And so now we ask: when will the end come? Jesus says we do not know: "But of the day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."
For those who believe, we keep our trust and hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. So that rather than fear the event of the last day, God's word strengthen us to get ready at anytime!
A blessed Sunday to us all. And thank you for a moment with God.
(Liturgical color: Green)
Mark 13:24-32
Getting ready!
A journey of a thousand miles starts with a first step. And no matter the distance, the journey will end with the last step someday. That was my opening statement in my farewell note to my colleagues some years ago as I decided to leave the corporate world earlier than my mandatory retirement.
As the Church's liturgical year comes to a close, the readings speak of the end of times, or the end of the story of our salvation.
In today's gospel Jesus tells us that one thing is certain. This world will not last forever. But for Christians that is not really the end of everything. Because Jesus our Lord will come again in glory to bring the kingdom of God in all its fullness.
Using apocalyptic language and imagery, the evangelist Mark describes the events on the last day. The images are not meant to be understood in literal sense, but instead they point to deeper truths.
What are the truths that these images on the end of the world are teaching us? Let us reflect on these deeper truths as guides to good Christian living.
The first truth is that our world as we experience it is destined to end someday. Well, it's not necessarily because the world is getting sinful, but because God has a bigger and better purpose for creation. From the beginning of time God has destined us for something much better than our present world. That is why whatever blessings we have in this world are only a prelude to greater blessings for us in the life to come. Thus, we look forward to the end of time as just a passage to a better reality.
The second truth: Jesus' kingdom will be brought to completion in the second coming. In the first time that Jesus came it was in simplicity and humility as he chose to be born in a manger. Because Jesus does not want to force his kingship upon anyone of us. Instead he wants that it be our personal choice to accept or reject him as he comes like us in all things but sin.
But it will be a different story in the second coming. Mark says he will come "with great power and glory." At that time there won't be any doubt as to who is the King of kings and Lord of lords. In other words, no one will wonder or question about the identity of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The third truth: Jesus will render final judgement at the end of time. He will gather the people of every time and place for this judgement day. He will call to him those judged worthy of heaven. It will be a great and glorious day for his faithful followers. And the joy, peace and union with God will be beyond our wildest imagination.
Finally, woe to those who refuse until the very last moment of their existence God's offer of mercy, love and new life. Perhaps, this group may include even the "practical atheists", a new term used by our new Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle to describe those who profess faith in Jesus but live their lives as if God does not exist at all. They will receive their just punishment for their unbelief.
And so now we ask: when will the end come? Jesus says we do not know: "But of the day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."
For those who believe, we keep our trust and hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. So that rather than fear the event of the last day, God's word strengthen us to get ready at anytime!
A blessed Sunday to us all. And thank you for a moment with God.
Deo Optimo Maximo
No comments:
Post a Comment