THIRTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YR B
Dan. 12:1-3; Ps 16
Heb. 10:11-14,18; Mk 13:24-32
THE END COMES WITH REWARD
As the liturgical year comes to an end, our minds are turned towards the end. And at a moment like this the church wants us to think about death, judgement, Heaven and Hell. We think about these because these are the final stages or destinations of the soul of man.
When things are coming to an end, it is important to look back and evaluate how things have been? We look back to see what we have achieved, to take stock of our failures and above all to give thanks for the grace of God.
The gospel of today concerns the end times and speaks of what we know as the signs of the times. Jesus speaks of the signs of the times using two examples.
In Mark 13:24-25, Jesus speaks of “the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.” These heavenly bodies were created to determine “fixed times, the days and the years” (Gen. 1:14).
The destruction of these heavenly bodies indicates then that, time is running out. No matter how old you are time will and is running out. Our time on Earth is not increasing but decreasing as the days go by. What are you doing with the time you have now? How can you account for your stewardship of time that has been entrusted to you?
Furthermore, for those who think that these heavenly bodies have powers to influence human affairs, they will be shaken and totally obliterated. Those who have hope in them will have their hopes shattered. They will be overcome by the power of the Son of man who will come on the clouds with great power and glory.
For all those who believe in other powers than that of Jesus, now is the time to submit to he who holds all power. Time is running out.
The second image is an agricultural image. Speaks of the fig tree and summer. The summer time is the time for harvesting the fig. In Mark 11:12-14, the fig tree is cursed for not bearing fruit but in our gospel today, Mark 13:28-31, it becomes a symbol of fruitfulness and harvest.
No matter the situation of our lives or what our lives have been, we can use the time we have now to turn things around with the grace of God. You have time at your disposal now. You can become fruitful. You can become better.
The focus of the readings today is not the punishment for those who have not used time well or fruitless but rewards for those who have been faithful to the end. This fills us with hope and courage to continue being true Christians. For when we are faithful to the Lord, we shall find ourselves among those who will be gathered by His angels.
Jesus recognises that sometimes it may be difficult to be faithful but he encourages us to endure by holding unto his word. He tells us, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away”. (Mk 13:31). It only the promise and power of his word that will take us through all the tribulations.
May we be found to be faithful when time runs out. May we blossom like the fig when the harvest comes. May we never lose our heavenly reward.
May God grant us his help by his word and grace.
God bless you.
BY Rev. Fr. Delight Arnold Carbonu
