Cycle B - Year II:  

18 November 2018: Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

(Liturgical Color: Green)

Readings:

First Reading:        Daniel 12:1-3

Second Reading:   Hebrews 10:11-14, 18

Gospel:  Please Read  Mark 13:24-32

Waiting in hope.....

When is the end of forever?  That is a strange question, because there is really no end in forever.  But then "forever" does not exist in our world now. Because it extends to the next reality.

We are now nearing the end of the calendar year, and closer still to the end of the liturgical year, which will come first (that is to say, the Church observes a different liturgical year from the Gregorian calendar year). And as the Church liturgical year draws to a close, the focus of the liturgy is on the end story of salvation. Thus, the core message of this Sunday's Gospel is about interrelated events; the end of the world, the second coming of Christ, the fathering of the saved, and the condemnation of the damned.

The evangelist Mark makes use of apocalyptic language to describe these events, like "the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers of heaven will be shaken." (Mk 13:24-25)

But what is meant by "apocalyptic"?  It is a special style of writing which precisely uses wild images and vivid symbols in order to convey realities beyond our present experience. The images described are not necessarily to be taken literally, but still they are relevant as they point to deeper truths.

Let us then reflect on these truths that these messages are teaching us.

Our first reflection is to know and believe  that the world as we know and experience it will definitely end someday. It will end because God has a bigger purpose for humanity. He has something much greater in His mind for us. So that the blessings of this world are only a prelude or foretaste of the blessings that the Father has planned for us in the life to come. And so also, our sufferings and trials we experience in this world are but temporary.

The second point in our reflection is the reality of the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. St. Mark says His second coming will be "with great power and glory".  At that time there will be no question who is King of kings and Lord of lords. No one will ever wonder about our Lord's identity, for His kingdom will be brought to completion at His second coming.

The third point, peoples of every time and place will be gathered together for the final judgment. Our Lord Jesus will invite the redeemed to share in the very life that He shares with the Father and the Holy Spirit. It will be a great and glorious day for Jesus's  faithful followers.

And finally, woe to those who chose until the very last moment of their earthly existence to refuse God's offer of mercy, love and new life. He will take action against evildoers as well.

Yet our Lord warns that no one really knows the end of times, "neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father". So, therefore, we should not be concerned with predicting, and fearing, the future as with living the faith here and now. Because when we keep the faith it strengthens us in hope, so that the Day of the Lord's return is actually a welcoming home, a great reunion with our Lord Jesus Christ. For we believe that our Lord Jesus Christ shall return as He Himself said. And God's Word strengthens us, as we wait in hope.

A blessed Sunday to us all. And thank you for a moment with God.

Ad Jesum per Mariam!