November 15, 2015

33rd Sunday in Ordinary time B 

Daniel 12: 1-3; Hebrews 10: 11-14, 18; Mark 13: 24-32

While we were at the Richmond Priest’s Convocation, a discussion was going on at our table about how we would die.  This had nothing to do worth the topics of the different talks but it was none the less very interesting and animated.  It came about because one of our special holy priest was found just a little while ago, dead in his bed.  At any rate a few said that they would like to die in the same way.  I said well that’s no worry for the deceased person but what about his family, the parishioners, those who found him and a vast array of people this person had touched and ministered to?  

Most people wanted their passing to be peaceful, no worry, no pain, with only a few gathered around them.  I said this probably was more make-believe than real life.  We don’t know when we were to be born and we have no idea when our life here ceases.  The interesting question is ‘What does God say about this?”  This is part of the subject matter of this last Sunday in Ordinary Time.  Next week we celebrate the feast of Jesus, Christ the King; the last feast of the Liturgical year.  The season of Advent follows this feast.  The theme this week is to encourage each of us as followers of Christ to deepen our faith in Jesus’ promise of eternal life.  Isn’t that a wonderful thought:  Jesus promises each of us, and God does not lie,that eternal life with God forever is a reality if we follow His teachings and commands.   

The first reading is taken from the Book of Daniel.  In the beginning of the book, Daniel interprets dreams for others (chapters 2 & 4).  But in Chapters 7-12, Daniel is pondering the future of his people.  They had returned home and now were under fierce persecutions from King Antiochus IV.  His cruelty and harsh policies sparked the revolt that was led by Judas Maccabees.  Daniel describes this king in 11:36 as “The king shall do as he pleases, exalting himself and making himself greater than any god; he shall utter dreadful blasphemies against the God of gods.  He shall prosper only till divine wrath is ready, for what is determined must take place.”    Daniel is writing to tell the people that God is in charge…that these threats, distress and even during these persecutions God will bring comfort.   Daniel brings visions on how Michael appears as Israel’s guardian and protector.  So the people who are faithful will escape any threats launched against them by earthly powers.  This theme of protection is a constant with Daniel.  God protected Daniel in the lion’s den (chapters 6 & 14); God protected the three friends in the furnace (chapter 3); Susanna who was falsely accused of infidelity (ch 13) was exonerated.  Today’s reading ends telling us that God’s faithful ones will awake from the dust of the earth and shine like brilliant stars forever.  God is in charge.  God loves.  God cares.  Praise be God forever.  

In the second reading Paul is writing to the Hebrews and presents Christ as the true high priest.  This symbolism can’t be lost:  the temple priests made daily sacrifices to atone for sins, yet they couldn’t take away sin ; they only foreshadowed the perfect sacrifice of Jesus.  As a perfect priest and perfect sacrifice, Jesus fulfilled all the OT sacrifices.  His sacrifice takes away sins and finds its completion in heaven, which has always been promised and is goal of every person.

lIn the gospel we look at the 13th chapter from Mark.  This has been called the ‘Little Apocalypse’ in contrast to the Book of Revelation which is called the ‘Big Apocalypse’ .  The word ‘apocalypse’ means a revealing.  It is a specific style of writing that uses coded language and images foretelling the end-times.  Understanding the Word explains it succinctly:  “In the first part of Chapter 13, Jesus explains the events leading up to the parousia(false prophets, vv. 5-6); wars and rumors of war, (vv. 7-8); persecution and mission, (vv. 9-13).  In the second, he describes the great tribulation and warns about being led astray (vv 14-23).  The third part, from which our reading is taken, presents the eschatological events and the coming of the Son of Man (vv. 24-27).  Mark portrays Jesus as this sSon of Man( 2:10; 8:31-32; 10:33,etc) who has come to initiate God’s reign (1:15).  The chapter concludes with an exhortation urging vigilance (vv 28-37).   SO WHEN will all this happen…Mark says NO ONE KNOWS WHEN ANY OF THESE THINGS WILL HAPPEN.  Mark said this because even in his time people were claiming to know and even predicting when the final day will happen.  I’ve heard a whole bunch of predictions during my life…and…they didn’t happen.  THE KEY is for myself and each person to remain faithful AND to live in hope.  

The first reading and the Gospel have used all sorts of imagery that shows the presence of evil in each of our lives and in the world.  EVIL will not triumph, although it seems so much that it will at times that we feel we are ‘losing the battle.’  There is no battle…Jesus has won…heaven is promised…how am I living?  that’s the question…HOW AM I LIVING.  Living the Word shares a wonderful conclusion, “But in light of all this apocalyptic combat, there are three points to remember.  First Jesus says that only the Father knows the day or hour of the final judgment; it is not our place to try and figure out a timetable for the end.  Second, the combat against evil in our lives is a spiritual battle that we wage though growth in holiness through God’s Spirit, not a physical battle against anyone.  And third, the basic thrust of all of Jesus’ apocalyptic teaching is that we should face the future with trust and confidence, because even though heaven and earth will pass away, Christ’s words will not pass away.” 

I started out by saying that God is in control.  All of history unfolds according to God’s plan.  The ultimate salvation of all will come after unspeakable suffering, trouble and disasters.  Each person has high points and low points in their lives…happy times and those filled with pain and suffering.  Mark is telling us through the words of Jesus that the key words in our lives should be:  beware…watch…pray…endure…believe…trust…have faith in our God who is constantly in love with us and each day leading us closer to Himself.  AM I DOING THAT TODAY?  WHAT DO I NEED FROM GOD TODAY?  

So I reflect on:

How often do I reflect on the fact that both my life and the world as a whole will someday come to an end?  When I think of these things, what feelings do they give rise to in me?   DO I BRING THESE FEELINGS TO GOD IN PRAYER?

Where in my life right now do I feel most strongly the conflict between good and evil?

Jesus tells me to live my life to its fullest, as He invites me to do.  Do I help others bring gospel joy to our world today?  Can they see this joy in me?

Our story does not have a scary ending.  Jesus will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and His kingdom will have no end.

Sacred Space 2015 says:

Even in our darkest hour, the Lord does not abandon us.  His eye always upon us, He watches over us night and day.

But if we take His words to heart and stay close to Him as we journey, we have nothing to fear.  His gift to us is His presence with us till the end of the world.”