[Salvation]

The Word Among Us

Meditation: Mark 13:24-32

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Of that day or hour, no one knows.” (Mark 13:32)

Let’s take a short quiz. The first question is a general one: what goals do you have for your life? The second is a bit more specific: what are your goals for the next five years? And the third is even more specific: what are your goals for the next year? Take a few minutes to write down your answers.

Now one final question: imag­ine that you knew Jesus was coming back tomorrow. How would your responses to the previous three ques­tions differ? When a friar asked St. Francis what he would do in this sit­uation, Francis, who was gardening at the time, said: “I would keep hoe­ing my garden.”

What about you? Would you keep going about your business? Most of us would make some last-minute changes. The lines at the confes­sional booth would probably reach out the church door and down the street for a few miles. Local parishes would run out of hosts because of the many people coming in for their last Mass. The phone lines would prob­ably be jammed with people calling family and friends trying to make eleventh-hour reparations. What about that last call to the poor? With no need to keep food stocked up, we can hope that people would be will­ing to give more to those who are hungry—sort of a last meal for the poor.

But this is all fanciful specula­tion. Jesus told us that no one knows when the end will come—even he doesn’t know! So our best strategy is to live each day as if it were our last. We should try our best always to be at peace with the Lord and with the people around us. We should also make sure we are taking care of the needy in our midst. Then, whenever Jesus returns, we’ll pass the quiz with no problem at all.

“Lord, help me to keep my eyes open for your presence and my heart fixed on you. Lord, I want to be ready to greet you when you come again in glory!”

Daniel 12:1-3; Psalm 16:5, 8-11; Hebrews 10:11-14, 18

 

Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion

1. As the Church approaches the end of the liturgical year we are asked to focus on the very difficult subjects of death and judgment and sin. This week is a good time to pause and reflect on the reality of sin’s inroads within us. What particular steps can you take this week to let God’s light shine on any areas of darkness in your mind and heart and to reveal more deeply the sad reality of sin?

2. In the first reading. we are reminded that at the resurrection of the dead, “some shall live forever, others shall be an everlasting horror and disgrace” (Daniel 12:2). What is your reaction to the words the author of Daniel uses to describe Hell? In what way is it or isn’t it in line with your own image? In the light of God’s holiness and judgment on sin, and the graphic description of Hell used in the reading, what new steps can you take to grow in your relationship with the Lord and to grow in holiness?

3. In the Responsorial Psalm, we are told of the confidence we should have in God who blesses his “faithful one.” How does the Psalmist describe those blessings? How would you describe the ways the Lord has blessed your life?

4. In the Letter to the Hebrews, we are again reminded that we don’t face judgment in fear and trepidation, but in confidence, knowing that Christ has already paid the price for our sins: “one sacrifice for sins.” What impact does this truth have on how you live out your life? What are some areas of your life where the Lord may be asking you to be more trusting and confident in his love and in the work of the Cross?

5. The Gospel reading exhorts us to be watchful regarding “signs” of Jesus’ second coming. What are some of the differences between Jesus first coming and his second coming? What do you think are some of the signs of his second coming? In what ways does reflecting on Jesus’ second coming give us joy and hope? How can you as a Catholic better prepare for his second coming?

6. The meditation asks us to consider how we would respond, and what would we do, if we “knew Jesus was coming back tomorrow.” How would you respond? Why?

7. Take some time now to pray and ask for the grace to be ready for his return, no matter when Jesus Second Coming occurs. Use the prayer at the end of the meditation as the starting point.

[Salvation]

A Christian Pilgrim

THE END OF THE WORLD

(A biblical refection on THE 33^rd SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – 18 NOVEMBER, 2012) 

Gospel Reading: Mark 13:24-32 

First Reading: Dan 12:1-3; Psalms: Ps 16:5,8-11; Second Reading: Heb 10:11-14,18 

The Scripture Text

“But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And then He will send out the angels, and gather His elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.

“From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that He is near, at the very gates. Truly, I say to you, before all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.

“But of that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time with come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. Watch therefore – for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning – lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Watch.” (Mk 13:24-32 RSV) 

Every now and then people speculate and try to predict the end of the world. And, we could find doomsday prophets keep coming and going – but the end of the world has not come.

As we are about to end the Church calendar, the Gospel message this Sunday douses cold waster on all predictions and prognostications. Listen to the words of Jesus Christ: “But of that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father”  (Mk 13:32).

Instead of frittering away precious time speculating on the end of the world, Jesus Christ exhorts us to live as Christians in the present. What matters in NOW!

A Catholic priest was once playing badminton with a friend. During the break, their talk shifted to a more serious vein with his partner asking, “Father, suppose the end of the world suddenly came and we were out there playing, what would you do? Get down on your knees and pray? The priest paused for a moment and said, “I’d go right on playing.”

What the priest is trying to say is that one should not worry about the end of the world. Worry rather whether or not you are holding on to your faith or living as a Christian should despite the harsh adversities.

According to the Scriptures, on Judgment Day we shall be judged on the question: What have you done for people in need? (please read Mt 25:31-46). How about us? Have we enough good works to deliver us from the fires of hell?

As we end the Church’s calendar this month, it might be wise and proper to pause and do some soul-searching. Am I preoccupied only with my personal needs, caprices and pleasures? Do I have time for God, my family, and for some outreach project? Am I contributing to building Christian communities of justice, love and peace or am I the cause of pain and suffering to others?

Everything we do now has eternal consequences. Judgment will be nothing else but God’s confirmation of the choices, decisions or actions we have made in life. What we sow now, we reap later.

Short Prayer: Lord Jesus, when we truly respond to Your love by loving one another, then already now, in this world, we receive Your blessing. Thank you, Lord Jesus. Amen.