First Reading: Daniel 12:1-3/Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 16:5 and 8.9-10.11 (R. 1) Second Reading: Hebrews 10:11-14.18/Gospel Acclamation: Lk 21:36/Gospel: Mark 13:24-32
THEME: NEVER FORGET THE ESSENTIALS
As human as we are, we sometimes forget the essential things which should occupy the first and fundamental place in our lives. We think less about our end here on earth and life hereafter and even ignore it completely until a certain fatal life experience, debilitating sickness and the pangs of death dawn on us. Subjects such as eternity, death, judgment, heaven, hell and the future of our souls only attract our attention perhaps during funerals where we shed some tears not really for the dead person but for fear that it may happen to us too! Many people make the issue of salvation a secondary matter, postpone it, brush it off and forget about it completely! As we get ready to pull the curtains down on the Church’s liturgical calendar by next Sunday, when we will declare Christ as the Universal King, we take some moments today to reflect on the fundamental question of the end time, the last things, the eschatos. It is to this venture we now focus our gaze.
In the first reading, the Prophet Daniel prophesies “And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time” (Dan. 12:1b). This time, Daniel tells us, will be a time of trouble. However, he also assures us that at that time “your people shall be delivered” (Dan. 12:1c). Let us hasten to ask: who are those to be delivered or saved? Daniel answers us: “every one whose name shall be found written in the book” (Dan. 12:1c). What is being referred to here is the book of life spoken of many times in the Bible especially in the Books of Revelation and the Psalms (cf. Rev. 3:5, 13:8, 15:8,17:8, 20:15, 21:27; Ps. 56:8, 69:27-28, 139:16). Surely, we are being reminded that suffering and pain are integral part of life, and that untold hardships will characterise the end times. Nonetheless, these difficulties should not make us choose evil over good, for righteousness shall be rewarded while evil will be punished.
In view of the aforementioned, Prophet Daniel boldly highlights the topic of judgment when he says: “And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt (Dan. 12:2). Thus, in the end time, in the final analysis, there will be difficulties and judgment. Therefore, we need to make salvation our priority, and make loving choices so as to be counted among the saints. Again, we need not panic or become despondent if we have placed all our hope in God in humble and faithful obedience to his commandments. In fact, we are assured that “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they shall soar as with eagle’s wings; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and never grow tired” (Is. 40:31). The God who began with us will surely end with us!
In addition, stressing the importance of making room in our thoughts and lives for the idea of tribulation and judgment at the end of time, today’s Gospel reiterates the thrust of the first reading. St. Mark does not limit the great tribulation to the human person only; he also extends it to the entire cosmos: “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” (Mk. 13:24-25). These cosmic upheavals, reflective of the end time, are common imageries of apocalyptic literature (e.g. II Esdras, II Baruch). Dreams and visions are the main corpus of such religious literature since they are attempts to paint the unpaintable and speak the unspeakable! These came about during the inter-testamental time (the period between the Old and New Testaments) when the Jews knew no freedom and therefore yearned for the day of God’s intervention, the day of the Lord. Similar thoughts are found in the Old Testament (cf. Amos 8:9, Joel 2:10, 3:15, Ez. 32:7-8, Is. 13:7-8, 24-27). According to William Barclay, these writings were never meant to be taken as maps of the future and timetables of events to come. Rather, they are only pictures, common ideas known and shared by the Jews for which Jesus used to make people understand the end times. They are warnings about the Parousia, the Second Coming of Christ and the need to be on the watch. Hence, they are mere instruments to help us prepare adequately and reform our lives since no one can really tell exactly when and what would happen at the Lord’s coming.
Also, Mark states that with the exception of the Father who is the creator of all things, “no one knows” exactly when this will take place even though there shall be clues to that effect (cf. Mk. 13:29, 32). In view of the perilous times ahead, the Psalmist puts his trust in God and prays fervently: “Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge” (Ps. 16:1). Unwaveringly, he keeps his gaze on the Lord, so he is confident and thus sings: “O Lord, it is you who are my portion and cup; you yourself who secure my lot… Even my flesh shall rest in hope. For you will not abandon my soul to hell, nor let your holy one see corruption. You will show me the path of life, the fullness of joy in your presence, at your right hand, bliss forever” (Ps. 16:5, 8-11). If we too keep watch, take stock of our lives to assess our progress or retrogression in the Christian journey, and pray as we ought, we may be able to welcome the Parousia (cf. Lk. 2:36).
Indeed, those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion which cannot be shaken. If we live in obedience to God, we are unafraid because God is always with us. The second reading tells us that Christ is at the right hand of God offering sacrifices (cf. Heb. 10:12). At this place of power, Christ intercedes for us (cf. Rom. 8:34). On the other hand, if we have not done well in this liturgical year, let us make amends by rising up on the wings of prayer. Christ, the perfect high priest offers sacrifice of intercession for us that we may obtain forgiveness of sins and the grace to endure this life till we also take our place with him in heaven. Let us trust Jesus for his word. He tells us: “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words will not pass away” (Mk. 13:31). Even if everybody and everything fail us, the word of God is able to keep us for eternity.
Beloved in Christ, how often do we ponder on salvation, death, judgment, heaven, hell, reward, punishment, afterlife, the last things, etc? What is our plan? According to an unknown second[1]century author, “We must always remember that Jesus Christ is God, the judge of the living and the dead, and we must not underestimate the significance of our salvation, because this would circumscribe our hope of glory. It is a sin to regard the message of salvation as trivial and we too share this guilt whenever we do not realize whence we were called and who called us and to what place he called us and what patience and endurance Jesus Christ showed in saving us.” Let us think about the future while not forgetting the present. With the help of God, let us do everything within our power to make heaven, our true home where God has destined for us. Happy Sunday and may God richly bless us! Remember: #Never-Forget-The-Essentials#
