Ps 16:5, 8, 9-10, 11
Heb 10:11-14, 18
Mk 13:24-32 Full Readings
Everything Will Pass, Only the Word of God
As we continue drawing near to the end of the liturgical year and reflect upon the end of our lives and the final judgment of the world, Mother Church keeps reminding us what our work as Christians really is: not to know the day or the hour (by “knowing,” we might feel some sense of control) but to place our trust in the One who does know, who holds these details in his heart. Neither the angels nor the Son knows the hour, but only the Father. However, the only thing we know, as per today's Gospel, is that all things will pass away, apart from the word of God, namely, that the end is coming. On that day, the day of the final judgment, the only thing that will matter is our fidelity to God. For that reason, we must daily strive to live as if that day were today. We must diligently prepare for that day and live for that glorious moment alone. This is an invitation for us to place all our trust in God and in what he says, no security should be put in any earthly thing.
What is that word of God that will not pass away? It is that the Son of Man Will return on the last day to judge both the living and the dead. This is expressed in today's first and gospel readings. On that day, the Son of Man will come in the clouds with great power and glory and then send his Angels to gather his chosen ones from all corners of the earth. The image of a "Son of man coming with the clouds of heaven" 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 the power to rule over "all peoples, nations, and languages" (Daniel 7:14). The kingdom which he comes to establish cannot be broken or destroyed because it is built on the foundation of God's justice, truth, and holiness.
Jesus' first coming was a rescue mission - to free the human race from slavery to sin and Satan - the father of lies. His second coming will be the final completion of his mission when he will "make all things new" - a new heaven and a new earth - after he has put down the last enemy which is death and restores our lowly bodies to immortality when death will be no more (Daniel 12:2-3).
What will show the arrival of the final day? The day of the Lord's return will be unlike any other moment in time, history, and destiny for the human race and our place in God's creation. Then the sun will be darkened, stars of heaven will fall and all the powers of heaven will be shaken before the presence of the Lord when he comes (indicating the passing away of the old creation and the definitive establishment of the new creation at the end of time). Then the peoples of the earth and their rulers will know who the true King and Ruler is overall. These gloomy pictures of the end of time and the second coming of Christ should not make us feel fearful of these foretold events but should make us feel consoled and expectant because the one who comes is not an unknown deity breathing smoke and fire; the one who comes was and is one of us; he is our brother and friend; he understands our weaknesses and difficulties. This is precisely the point of the second reading; Jesus in his incarnation became one of us, and by his priestly self-immolation has taken away our sins once and for all. He calls us to unite ourselves to him so that where he is, we too shall be seated at the right hand of the Father. United as one in Christ.
How ready are you and I for this final day? The one who will have persevered the great persecutions, and temptations and has kept the faith will go up with Jesus to the kingdom of heaven. Jesus makes it clear in the gospel that these events and his coming will he after the time of distress and then invites us to read the signs of the time of this day. Our part is to remain faithful until he comes despite any distress we will have passed through. Today let us pray that the warnings on the final day should encourage us more to prepare and become ready for it.
Let us Pray
Lord Jesus, fill me with your Holy Spirit that I may radiate the joy of your kingdom and the fire of your love to all I meet and serve. Direct my life to the glory of your name and to the coming of your kingdom. Amen
Be blessed
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