33rd Sunday of the Year (B)

(Edited) Sunday Reflections (from) Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

33rd Sunday of the Year (B), November 18, 2012

Liturgical readings
Daniel 12:1-3
Psalm 16
Hebrews 10:11-14, 18
Mark 13:24-32

"The heavens and the earth will pass away, but my words will not."

Jesus spoke of His coming again - "in the clouds, with great power and glory". He spoke of the need to be watchful and vigilant, for no one knows that day or hour of His appearance again. Not the angels, not even Himself; only the Father knows. Much destruction will occur during those days. The heavens and the earth will pass away. But the Lord reassures everyone, that His words will not pass away. That is why He calls us to believe in His words, to have faith in Him and all what His words stand for. For both in Him and in His action within the sacramental community do we have hope of being saved by God our Redeemer and Saviour.

From biblical times, through centuries of Catholic spirituality, and until now, this important teaching of Christ of being ready and prepared for the Day of the Son of Man will always be relevant. Even already as early as the 1st century, St. Paul was getting the young Christian churches to be prepared.

He said: "stand firm ... keep the traditions ... let Jesus be your comfort and strength in everything that you do or say" (1 Thessalonians 2:15ff).

What he says is true, and holds true even though many centuries have passed since he preached and wrote the Letter to the Thessalonians. Whether the Day of the Son of Man comes during one's lifetime (or not), only Jesus will be each one's comfort and strength.

The End Times remind each and every one of death and God's judgment. But God's justice is always qualified by His mercy. His mercy gives a strong confidence of His saving presence and action during those days. St. Claude la Colombière (instrumental in propagating devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus) gives the Church a good attitude towards death:

"What would give me confidence before God's judgment would be nothing other than the number and greatness of my sins. Here is a confidence really worthy of God: far from allowing us to be depressed by the sight of our faults, it strengthens us ... by its infinite conception of the goodness of our Creator".