The END

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

18 November 2018

First reading                                                                  Daniel 12:1-3
At that time Michael, the great prince, the protector of your people, shall arise. There shall be a time of anguish, such as has never occurred since nations first came into existence. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book. Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.

Second reading                                                     Hebrews 10:11-14, 18

Every priest stands day after day at his service, offering again and again the same sacrifices that can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, “he sat down at the right hand of God,” and since then has been waiting “until his enemies would be made a footstool for his feet.” For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us, for after saying, “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds,” he also adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.

Gospel                                                                     Mark 13:24-32

Jesus said to his disciples, “But in those days, after that suffering, 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. Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds’ with great power and glory. 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 tell 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 about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”

Reflection

By Benj Santiago

“Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.”

We are coming to a close of the liturgical year. The gospel reading according to Mark reminds us of the coming end times. While “no one knows except the Father” in heaven when it will happen, we need to be prepared all the time. 

There were many who had predicted the end of times. I remember when Mt. Pinatubo erupted, a lot of people in the North Luzon area thought that was it. And to date, many people still continue to pass chain letters in the social media about the end of the world!

I do believe that it shall come to pass for it is written in the Holy Bible. But, I believe that the focus is not to predict when. The goal is to be always prepared. The goal is, when it happens we “shall be found written in the book”. And how do we do that? We can be saved if we follow His Words. “I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;  And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.”

And the summary of God’s Laws is Love. Love of God above all, and love of neighbor and self which we learned in the gospel on the first Sunday of November!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we pray that we may always be prepared for the second coming of Your Son Jesus Christ. May Your Laws be perpetually  inscribed in our hearts and minds. May we love and serve You till You come again. Amen!