Homily -17 November 2024 – XXXIII Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)- Rev. Dr. Patrick Mathias SDB
Sunday 17 November 2024 – XXXIII Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)
Mass Readings: Dan 12:1-3 Ps 15 Heb 10:11-14.18 Mk 13:24-32
Key Verse to Meditate: Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in clouds' with great
power and glory (Mk 13:26).
Preparing for the Reign of Christ the King
Dear
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As we approach
the end of the liturgical year, our hearts are drawn toward the solemnity of
Christ the King-a celebration of Jesus’ ultimate authority and loving reign
over all creation. Last Sunday, we reflected on two profound examples of faith
and generosity: the widow of Zarephath, who shared her last bit of flour and
oil with the prophet Elijah, and the widow in the Gospel, who offered her two
small coins to God, giving everything she had.
This Sunday,
the Gospel shifts our focus to Jesus’ prophetic vision of the future. The
imagery is striking-frightening yet profoundly instructive. Through the parable
of the fig tree, Jesus emphasizes the need for vigilance and readiness. He
reassures us of the certainty of His words, for they are the very words of God,
destined to accomplish all that He has declared. The
Gospel passage of today invites us to reflect on the enduring authority of
Christ, the reliability of God’s word, and the urgency of living in readiness
for divine encounters.
The
First Reading: A Vision of Hope
The first
reading, from the Book of Daniel, brings a message of hope rooted in the
promise of resurrection and eternal life. The prophet Daniel speaks of a time
when Michael, the great prince, will arise to protect God’s people. Those whose
names are written in the book of life will be saved, and even those who have
"fallen asleep in the dust" will awaken—some to everlasting life,
others to shame and condemnation.
This vision
reflects the Old Testament's understanding of divine justice: God rewards the
upright with life and the wicked with death (cf. Deut 28). Daniel further
proclaims that the righteous will “shine like the brightness of the sky” (Dan
12:3), echoing Jesus' words in Matthew: “Then the righteous will shine like the
sun in the kingdom of their Father” (Mt 13:43). Moreover, those who lead others
to righteousness by their teaching and example will shine like stars forever
(Dan 12:3; cf. Wis 3:7).
This passage
assures us that God’s justice and mercy transcend earthly life. The righteous
will share in the splendour of the angels, becoming companions to the hosts of
heaven (cf. Mt 22:30). Such a promise fills us with hope, reminding us that
faithfulness to God brings eternal reward.
The Second
Reading: Christ’s Supreme Priesthood
In the second
reading, St. Paul, writing to the Hebrews, highlights the uniqueness of
Christ’s priesthood. Unlike the Levitical priests, who offered daily and annual
sacrifices that could never fully remove sin, Christ’s one perfect sacrifice
secures eternal redemption for humanity.
Paul evokes
Psalm 110: “Sit at My right hand, until I make Your enemies a footstool for
Your feet” (cf. Heb 1:13), affirming that Christ now reigns at God’s right
hand. As St. Paul writes to the Corinthians, Christ will reign until all His
enemies are subdued, including the final enemy: death (cf. 1 Cor 15:24-28).
The Levitical
priests never sat down in the sanctuary, symbolizing the incomplete nature of
their work. In contrast, Christ, our eternal High Priest, is seated at the
right hand of the Father (cf. Ps 110:4), having offered the ultimate sacrifice.
This signifies the completion of His redemptive mission. Through His sacrifice,
Christ has taken away the sins of the world, sanctifying His people with
eternal holiness.
This truth
gives us profound assurance. We have a heavenly High Priest who has paid the
ultimate price for our salvation and continues to intercede for us before the
throne of God. His sacrifice is sufficient, cleansing our conscience and
securing our hope in eternal life.
The
Gospel Reading
Today, on this
penultimate Sunday of the liturgical year, the readings bring us to the final
chapter of salvation history-a triumphant conclusion to the journey of faith
we’ve been living throughout the year. In the thirteenth chapter of Mark, Jesus
speaks about the end times, warning of the destruction of the Jerusalem temple,
a “desolating sacrilege,” and the coming persecutions for those who believe in
Him. This message, however, is also one of hope: the promise of the second
coming of the Son of Man. Today’s Gospel is a continuation of Jesus’ response
to the question posed by Peter, James, John, and Andrew after He had prophesied
the temple’s destruction while sitting on the Mount of Olives: "Tell us,
when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are
going to be fulfilled?" (Mk 13:4).
The Returning
of the Son of Man: Jesus
passionately responds to their question, speaking of His return as the Son of
Man. This title, “Son of Man,” which Jesus frequently uses in the Gospel of
Luke (Lk 5:24; 6:5; 7:34; 9:22; 12:8; 17:22), emphasizes both His messianic
identity and His solidarity with humanity. Mk 13:24-25 describe the conclusion
of the old-world order, while verses 26-27 herald the advent of a new order,
marked by the coming of “one like a son of man” (cf. Dan 7:13-14). This figure,
as depicted in Daniel, is granted universal and everlasting dominion.
Interestingly, this new kingship does not arise on earth but is established in
heaven, before the throne of God. Jesus Christ, as the Son of Man, now holds
divinely sanctioned authority over all peoples, nations, and languages. With the Jerusalem Temple no longer standing, the Son of Man sits
at God’s right hand as the universal sovereign (Mk 14:62), inaugurating a
kingdom rooted in divine authority.
The
Purpose of Divine Judgment
The first part
of the Gospel (Mk 13:24b-27) draws heavily from prophetic literature,
incorporating imagery from Ezekiel (32:7-8), Joel (2:10. 31), Amos (8:9), and
Isaiah (13:10). These texts depict cosmic upheavals, such as darkened suns and
unlit moons, to signal divine judgment: “But in those days, after that
tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light”
(Mk 13:24). Prophetic language like this was traditionally used to condemn
Gentile nations threatening Israel or Judah. Yet, Jesus applies it to Jerusalem
and its Temple (Mk 13:2), indicating a profound shift. The Evangelist
emphasizes that the upheavals in world history should not be seen as the
literal end of the universe but as the inauguration of a new world order
aligned with God’s purposes. Thus, Mark 13:24-27 portrays not cosmic
destruction but dramatic changes on the global stage, understood as
manifestations of divine judgment.
Heaven
and Earth Will Pass Away
The Son of
Man’s gathering of people from across the world echoes Old Testament promises
to restore the scattered exiles to the Holy Land (cf. Deut 30:4; Zech 2:10). In
Palestine, the arrival of summer was signalled by the budding leaves of the fig
tree in March or April. Similarly, the disciples are instructed to discern the
approach of the Son of Man through the signs of judgment, particularly the
destruction of Jerusalem.
One perplexing
statement by Jesus is that “this generation will not pass away until all these
things take place” (Mk 13:30). However, the phrase emphasizes the permanence of
God’s word amid temporal events: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words
will not pass away” (Mk 13:31). While the physical world is created for
habitation, these verses highlight the enduring nature of God’s promises (cf.
Is 51:6; 54:9-10; Jer 31:35-36; 33:20-21). Even if heaven and earth were to
vanish, God’s word remains eternal: “The grass withers, the flower fades, but
the word of our God will stand forever” (Is 40:7-8; cf. Mt 5:18; Lk 16:17).
Finally, Jesus
underscores the mystery of these events, stating that the precise timing is
known only to the Father: “But of that day or hour, no one knows, not even the
angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Mk 13:32). This calls for
constant vigilance and readiness to meet the Savior, for the time of His
Parousia remains hidden in God’s plan.
Points
for Personal Reflection
Signs
of Doom and Signs of Hope: In this
Sunday’s readings, we encounter both signs of doom and signs of hope. The first
reading and the Gospel present a vivid reflection of the challenges we see in
the world today. Daily news fills us with sorrow and fear as we hear of
tragedies such as widespread disease, violence, the plight of migrants, and
natural disasters. Yet, as Christians, we are called to see beyond these bleak
realities. We are reminded that God is not distant but journeys with humanity,
guiding the course of history and bringing meaning even to our darkest hours.
Our faith in Jesus Christ empowers us to bear witness to hope and resilience.
The hardships around us should not prevent us from striving to build a just
world, one that upholds peace and the dignity of all people. Despite the
sobering messages in these readings, the “shining light of the righteous”
reminds us of the joy and hope we find in Christ’s promise.
The
Lesson of the Fig Tree: Jesus uses the
image of the fig tree to show that life and renewal can arise even from what
appears barren. Though disasters may unfold, we as disciples are called to
anchor our hope in Jesus’ words, which endure even when all else fades. In a
world saturated with alarming news and endless media streams, it is easy to
become disheartened or lose faith. But Jesus invites us to see beyond this
temporary world, to lift our gaze to the life with God that awaits us. His
words endure, and through them, we are invited to share in His eternal peace
and joy. To live with God’s grace each day is to anticipate this promise with
hearts ready to shine like stars in heaven.
A
Call to Vigilance and Trust
As we meditate
on today’s readings, we are reminded of the certainty of God’s promises and the
hope of eternal life. Jesus calls us to vigilance and readiness, trusting that
His words will never fail. He assures us that while heaven and earth may pass
away, His words will endure forever (cf. Mk 13:31).
Let us prepare
our hearts for the coming of Christ the King, living as faithful witnesses of
His love, justice, and mercy. May we, like the righteous in Daniel’s vision,
shine with the brightness of the stars, leading others to God through our faith
and good works. Let us place our trust in Jesus’ words, for they are the words
of God, eternal and unchanging.
Reflection
Questions
Do I truly
place my trust and hope in God’s promises as revealed in Scripture?
Am I living in
harmony with God’s commandments, finding purpose and hope in His words?
How do I
actively bring hope into a world that often feels hopeless?
Do I perceive
my time on earth as an opportunity to grow in holiness, as Jesus asks of us,
living in patience, joy, and eager anticipation of His coming?
In my daily
life, am I grounded in the reverence, hope, and love that God desires for me?
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