18 November, 2012
33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time; St. Rose Philippine Duchesne
FIRST READING
Daniel 12:1–3
In those days, I, Daniel, heard this word of the Lord: “At that time there shall arise Michael, the great prince, guardian of your people; it shall be a time unsurpassed in distress since nations began until that time. At that time your people shall escape, everyone who is found written in the book.
“Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake; some shall live forever, others shall be an everlasting horror and disgrace.
“But the wise shall shine brightly like the splendor of the firmament, and those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars forever.”
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 16:5, 8, 9–10, 11 (1)
R. You are my inheritance, O Lord!
O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup, you it is who hold fast my lot. I set the LORD ever before me; with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.
R. You are my inheritance, O Lord!
Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices, my body, too, abides in confidence; because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld, nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption.
R. You are my inheritance, O Lord!
You will show me the path to life, fullness of joys in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever.
R. You are my inheritance, O Lord!
SECOND READING
Hebrews 10:11–14, 18
Brothers and sisters:
Every priest stands daily at his ministry, offering frequently those same sacrifices that can never take away sins. But this one offered one sacrifice for sins, and took his seat forever at the right hand of God; now he waits until his enemies are made his footstool. For by one offering he has made perfect forever those who are being consecrated.
Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer offering for sin.
ALLELUIA
Luke 21:36
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to stand before the Son of Man.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL
Mark 13:24–32
Jesus said to his disciples:
“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 the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
“And then they will see the ‘Son of Man coming in the clouds’ with great power and glory, and then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the end of the earth to the end of the sky.
“Learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see these things happening, know that he is near, at the gates. Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
“But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”
REFLECTIONS:
How good are you at reading signs? The people of
Jesus' time expected that the coming of the Messiah would be accompanied
by extraordinary signs and wonders. Jesus' first coming was clouded in
mystery and wonderment a son of David born in a cave at Bethlehem, magi
from the East guided by a star to worship the newborn king of Israel, a
carpenter miracle-worker who gave sight to the blind and raised the dead,
a Suffering Servant who bore the sins of many upon a cross, a Risen Lord
who stormed the gates of Hell to release its captives. Jesus on a number
of occasions prophesied that he would return again at the end of the world
to finish the work he came to accomplish through his death and resurrection.
The image of a "Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory"
is taken from the vision of the prophet Daniel (Daniel 7:13-14). Daniel's
vision is a royal investiture of a human king before God's throne. This
king, whose authority comes from God, is given world-wide rulership and
power which lasts forever. The Jews of Jesus' day were looking for a Messianic
king who would free them from foreign oppression. Jesus tells them that
when he returns he will establish a universal kingdom of peace, righteousness,
and justice for all.
Jesus' prophetic description of the end of time and the day of judgment
was not new to the people of Israel. The prophets had foretold these events
many centuries before. "Behold the day of the Lord comes, cruel, with
wrath and fierce anger to make the earth a desolation and to destroy its
sinners from it" (Isaiah 13:9-13; see also Joel 2:1-2; Amos 5:18-20;
Zephaniah 1:14-18). Jesus speaks of the second coming as a known fact,
a for certain event we can expect to take place. This coming will be marked
by signs that all will recognize; signs which will strike terror in those
unprepared and wonder in those who are ready to meet the Lord. When the
Lord returns he will establish justice and righteousness and he will vindicate
all who have been faithful to him. His judgment is a sign of hope for those
who trust in him.
What lesson does the Lord Jesus want us to learn from the parable of
the budding fig tree? The fig tree was a common and important source of
food for the Jews. It bore fruit twice a year, in the autumn and in the
early spring. The prophet Joel mentions its fruitbearing as a sign of favor
from the Lord (Joel 2:22). The Talmud said that the first fruit came the
day after Passover. The Jews believed that when the Messiah came he would
usher in the kingdom of God at Passover time. This parable fortells the
joy of God's kingdom the joy of new life and the promise of a new age
of peace and blessing. The signs of spring are evident for all who can
see. Just so are the signs of God's kingdom. The "budding" of God's kingdom
begins first in the hearts of those who are receptive to God's word. Those
who trust in God's word will bear the fruits of his kingdom. And what are
the fruits of that kingdom? "The kingdom of God ..is righteousness and
peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17).
We do not know the day or hour when the Lord will return again in glory.
But the Lord does give us signs, not only to "wake us up" as a warning,
but also to "rouse our spirits" to be ready and eager to see his kingdom
come in all its power and glory. The Lord wants us to be filled with joyful
anticipation for his coming again. He surely comes to us each day and speaks
to our hearts like a lover who whispers in the ear of the beloved. As he
promised, the Lord will surely come again in all his glory. Do you look
for the signs pointing to the Lord's return and do you pray that he come
quickly to establish peace and justice on the earth?
"Lord Jesus Christ, you are the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and
the end of all history, and the lord of all creation. Give me joyful hope
and confidence that I will see you face to face when you return in glory
."
No comments:
Post a Comment