SUNDAY, THIRTY THIRD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
Dn 12:1-3 Ps 16:5-11 Heb 10:11-14, 18 Mk 13:24-32
PREPARATION FOR THE END TIMES
The first reading today highlights a theme of divine protection during times of great tribulation. The passage opens by mentioning Michael, the great prince who stands guard over God’s people. This reference to angelic protection serves as a powerful reminder that, even in the most difficult and distressing circumstances, God does not abandon His faithful. Daniel’s prophecy speaks of an extraordinary time of trouble, but it also offers hope by assuring that those who are written in the book of life will be delivered. This divine protection is not merely physical but spiritual, safeguarding the soul in the face of overwhelming adversity. It reassures us that God’s presence is constant, even when the world seems to be in confusion. This assurance of protection encourages us to trust in God’s plan, even when facing trials that seem insurmountable. Thus, Daniel teaches that no matter how severe the tribulation, God’s protective presence remains with His people. It calls believers to place their trust in God’s providence, knowing that He is the ultimate source of security and salvation. This passage reminds us that God’s care extends beyond the physical realm, providing spiritual protection that leads to eternal life.
The Gospel of today tells us that we should not be too concerned with looking to the skies (or to the fig trees) for the signs of his second coming, but be concerned with what we do before that time. At the same time we also should remember that Jesus announced his second coming to encourage us and not to frighten us. He has not told us when exactly the end of the world will take place. It is a secret which only God knows (ref. Mk 13:32). So we need to watch and wait. Jesus discusses and answers questions on two distinct topics: the destruction of the temple and the end of the world. But the message we must learn, is that we must always be ready to face our judgement for we know neither the day nor the hour when we be called from this earthly life. Actually if we reflect, when or how this world will end, it is of no great importance to us; what is important is when are we supposed to leave this world and what will be the state of our conscience at the moment of our departure from this earth, because our eternity depends on it.
We all know that we must die someday. We are all travellers, pilgrims on this earth; we are not permanent here on this world. No normal person, no sane person will deny this fact and yet many of us are so immersed in the things of this world that we forget that we have to leave this world soon. Even when our reasoning, our intelligence tells us that our life, despite all our endeavours, of postponing, will end very soon, we try to convince ourselves that, that ‘very soon’ is really in the distant future. But at the same time we should also reflect on one more truth that our death on earth is not the end of life, but rather the beginning of the true life that will never end. Our death is the doorway through which we pass into the unending life. The years on earth are a gift of God to us so that we may earn the infinitely greater gift which in his loving mercy he has prepared for us from all eternity.
God in his mercy is calling each one of us to be ready when he comes. We can do nothing about the ‘when’ or the ‘where’ of the call, but we can do much about the state of our relationship with God when death comes; in fact, aided by God’s grace we can ensure that all will be well with us. We cannot avoid a sudden death, but we can avoid an unprepared death by striving always to live in faithfulness to God. This does not mean that we must be always on our knees praying to God and that we must take no interest in the things and joys of this world. God of course wants us to use the things of this world, but to use them so that they will not hinder us on our journey.
A very practical way to see how we stand in relation to God is for us to ask ourselves: how would I fare if God asks the account of my life today? If, to our dismay, we find there are several things which have to be put right before facing our judge we should start right away to put them right. We may get another chance, another warning or we may not.
Response: Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
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