November 14, 2021 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
I Reading: Daniel 12: 1-3; II Reading: Hebrews 10: 11-14, 18; Gospel: Mark 13: 24-32
According to the liturgical calendar the liturgical year ends with the feast of Christ the King, and then with the Advent begins a new liturgical year. As we are now drawing near to the close of the liturgical year, the readings of today have reference to the eschatological dimensions of Christian life. We are told of the last day of reckoning and the coming of the Son of Man in clouds for the final judgement.
In the first reading taken from the Book of Daniel the vision of the prophet about the end of the time is unfolded. It introduces the belief in the resurrection of the dead and the notion of retribution after death. The prophet states that the wise and the righteous will shine like stars.
The second reading culled from the letter to the Hebrews asserts the superiority of the sacrifice made by Christ over all the sacrifices of the old law.
Jesus tells us, “But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the son, but only the Father.” The uncertainty brimming in these words is not disadvantageous. It is in fact a call to be awake and alert; It is a call for preparedness. Preparedness is one of the hallmarks of the followers of Christ. It is in fact an expression of love. It is the hired labourers who want to know the exact time for the commencement and end of their labour. Wherever there is love, there are no keen calculations. A mother does not keep a strict schedule for the care of her child. She is always prepared to extend her helping hand to the child whenever needed. Thus, wherever there is love, the uncertainty provides us with intense hope and greater enthusiasm and initiative.
The uncertainty regarding the last day of reckoning urges us to be always prepared for the Parousia, the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. This entails us that we read and understand the signs of the time. Just as we decipher the seasons of the nature, we are to understand the signs from above for the present time. As human beings, we are endowed with intellect and will, and it demands responsibility from our part. We need to remain prepared, not in fear or anxiety, but in the love of God and in charity and compassion toward the needy and the disadvantaged. The events of everyday life, like sicknesses including the Covid-19 that has been shaking the whole globe now, natural calamities, accidents, economic crises etc. make us aware of the shortness and vulnerability of our life on earth, despite all the advancements in science and technology. They awaken in us the aspiration for the eternal life, which is nothing but being totally in the presence of our Lord God.
Jesus assures us that, no matter how much trouble and confusion there would be, his words would remain with us. “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away”. The Gospel is the handbook of every Christian. With regard to the end we can surely be hopeful rather than fearful. That is the only attitude worthy of a Christian. God in His magnanimity created each one of us for salvation and not for damnation. Jesus preached the boundless love and mercy of the Father, through his words and deeds, and above all through the paschal mysteries. Jesus exhorts us to live as if the end is about to happen at any moment. But he also tells us to look forward to the end, as prisoners and slaves long for their day of liberation.
Let us not reduce our faith to mere lip service, but live what we believe.
Fr. Clement Valluvassery, St. Joseph Pontifical Seminary, Carmelgiri