Thirty-third
Sunday of Ordinary Time (B) [Mk 13:24-32]
17.11.2024
The Coming of the Son of
Man
Readings: (1) Dan 12:1-3 (2) Heb 10:11-14.18
1. Theme in brief
Hope in the midst of fear and hopelessness
2. Focus Statement:
Thoughts about the end of the world and the end of our own lives on
earth must fill us with thoughts of hope and consolation instead of fear and
despair.
3. Explanation of the text
Today’s gospel text contains a mixed message
of desolation and consolation, doom and hope. In it Jesus alludes to the end of the world
and to his Second Coming which will be preceded with frightening signs such as
darkening of the sun and moon, falling of the stars from heaven and a great
turmoil in the heavens (13:24-25). Here he uses the bleak imagery and language
that was commonly used by the Jews for the end of the world – called “the Day
of the Lord.” Though this imagery (called “apocalyptic literature” in theology)
is not meant to be taken literally, nonetheless, it symbolizes a future period
of trials, tribulations, persecutions
and suffering for the disciples.
The uncertainty of the meaning of this
apocalyptic imagery is clothed with the certainty of the Final Coming of the "Son of
Man in the clouds” at the end of time (13:26). In other words, this dark and
frightful imagery of the ‘doomsday’ is accompanied by the consoling light of hope. Jesus’
return in glory to gather his chosen ones (13:26-27) is going to be an event
of great consolation and hope for believers like the tender leaves on the fig
tree that signal hope of the summer season’s arrival (13:28-29). Those who
remain faithful to his teachings in the midst of trials and tribulations shall be
among the elect when
he will come with “great power and glory” (13:26-27). Mark instils in his readers
the hope of God’s final victory over the forces of darkness so that
they will be able to cope with the suffering to come in their
faith-journey.
The Parable of the Fig Tree cautions the
disciples to watch for the “signs of the times” (13:28). Just as they read the signs of
the nearness of summer season by observing the new leaves on the fig tree so
also they should observe the nearness of Parousia (13:29). Experts say that
Jesus compares the future events of history regarding the fall of Jerusalem and
the destruction of its Temple (which happened after Jesus’ death and
resurrection in 70 A.D.) with his Second Coming. Again, this prediction is not
meant to frighten them but to uphold God’s designs. Everything in the world
will pass away; nothing is permanent except God and our life with him (13:31).
Though the Lord’s Second Coming at the end of
time is certain, the exact time is uncertain. Jesus says that no one including himself or the
angels know the exact day or the hour of the end of the world. It is known to
the Father alone (13:32). Against all predictions of the exact date of the end
of the world done by some preachers even today, Jesus speaks of his ignorance about it. As God’s
Son, though he could have known about it, he did not want to know because he
wanted to grow in wisdom (Lk 2:52) just like any other human person does.
Otherwise, how could he be a human person like us?
4. Application to
life
As the Liturgical Year is coming to an end by
next week, the Church, by choosing today’s gospel text reminds us that the
history of this world as well as our personal history is gradually heading
towards a consummation. Jesus says that “heaven and earth”
(meaning everything in the world as per Jewish expression) will pass away but his words will not (13:31). What it means
is nothing in our life is permanent except God, his promises and our life with
him. The more we are free from over-attachment to this world and its
affairs the less anxious and fearful we become about the
future. We are destined to be with
God where Jesus is, to live in an everlasting union with God. Now we should be
convinced that our real country or homeland is heaven (Heb 11:16;
Phil 3:20). We are called to look beyond the present passing
world. When we consider the impermanence of life, we should feel how foolish it
is to put our full trust in worldly things and think only about
our own food, shelter, clothing, work, business, comforts and enjoyment. After
all, we are not going to take anything with us at the end. Only God’s mission
for which we work and service done by continuing Jesus’ ministry on earth will
last for ever, and nothing else.
The apocalyptic language used in today’s
gospel text to refer to the end of the world and the Second Coming of Christ
(such as darkening of the sun and moon, falling of the stars from heaven) has
contrasting elements of fear and hope, gloom and consolation. Though the exact meaning of the apocalyptic
imagery used for these dark and bright elements is uncertain, nonetheless it symbolizes
elements of darkness and hope, shadows and brightness in our personal lives as well as in the world’s situation at
present. In spite of so much goodness in us, quite often we do face the darkness of temptations, trials, tribulations, persecutions, suffering,
injustice, fears, human frailty, sins and faults, hopelessness, despair, depression, etc. When we observe the situation of our world,
though there is so much goodness and wonderful people in it, often we come face
to face with so much evil also that frightens us. We are shaken by signs of gloom and doom such as
global terrorism, the rapid spread of AIDS and Covid-19, diminishing
water-tables, depletion of the protective ozone-layer, global warming and
climate change, water and air pollution, the threat of wars and nuclear holocaust, unjust and exploitative social structures, rampant
corruption, etc. When we
are badly affected by this evil, we wonder whether our faith is vain, and
whether the Kingdom of God is anywhere near.
As the world is advancing further and further
in all spheres, our fears also increase. I would like to compare
all the frightening signs mentioned by Jesus in today’s gospel
(in apocalyptic language) to all our real or imaginary fears that sometimes
might take control of us. On the global level we are filled with fear of
terrorist attacks, horrible accidents, nuclear wars, economic recession,
unemployment triggered by the on-going pandemic, etc. On a personal level we
have fear of misfortune, unknown
future, untimely death, opposition,
rejection, losing friendship and what not – fear of everything! In some
societies people are filled with a perennial fear caused by superstitious beliefs in curses and magical spells.
Social scientists say that the root-cause of
the superstitious beliefs such as magical spells, witchcraft and sorcery is in
human jealousies, anger, hatred, desire for revenge and the fear of being
harmed by others. They are caused by magical spells is. There is so much negativity in all of us which is not healed. It comes out in the form of
curses and wishing evil on the so-called ‘bad people’. It is people’s fears
(real or imaginary) that make them believe in an evil power behind every
misfortune like illness, accidents, untimely death and other natural or man-made
calamities. Belief in good and bad omens
prevalent in some societies also generates fear. For example, some believe if a
cat (especially black one) crosses the way or street when they travel (walk),
it is a bad omen.
In the midst of desolation and fear generated by the problem of evil and
superstitious beliefs centred on it, today’s gospel fills us with hope and consolation. It speaks about the certainty of Christ’s coming again in glory at the end of time to make us
sharers of his glory and to fulfil our expectations. This hope is symbolized by
the fig tree, which heralds the summer with signs of new and tender leaves.
Since no one, not even Jesus, knows the exact day or the hour of the end of
time, instead of calculating its exact date, we need to be serious in our
Christian commitment in the present time and be faithful in
carrying out our responsibilities. Personally for us, the end of time, applies
first and foremost to our own death. The uncertainty of the exact time of our
death should motivate us to live our life in such a way that it actually does
not matter when this will happen. It gives us the great task of making every
day ready and fit to meet the Lord face to face. Thus our whole life becomes a
preparation to meet the King. If we are faithful to the teachings of Christ, we
shall be among the elect when Jesus comes in glory. Christian hope is the virtue by which we
desire heavenly kingdom and eternal life as our happiness, placing our trust in Christ’s promises and relying not on
our own strength, but on God’s grace. We are commissioned to fight against all
the forces that poison hope, material and spiritual progress of humankind.
There are two great temptations against the virtue of Christian
hope: despair at miseries of life and overconfidence in our own capabilities. They are mainly
caused by modern people’s inability to find meaning and purpose in life. Hope in God and his promises is
the grip which helps us cope
with life’s trials, sufferings, disappointments, frustrations and
tensions. Failure to find meaning and hope in life could be one of the main
causes for an increase in suicide and divorce rates, drug and alcoholic
addiction, violent tendencies (even among children), depression, deviation from
and dilution of our call. When we place complete confidence in our own wealth,
power, status, success and achievement to gain happiness in life, instead of
trusting in God, a great hopelessness may set in when we are not able to attain these ‘promises’
advocated by the modern world, and when there is nothing else to hold on beyond
these things.
Lack of a deep faith is often the cause of
fear when we face trials. When our fears take control of us and rule over our minds, they keep us chained and locked
within the narrow space of our own selves. Instead of allowing the Lord
to direct our lives, we permit these fears to
become an independent force that drives us where we heart of hearts do not like to go. If we permit our
imaginary or unrealistic (baseless) fears to become our terrible masters, they
may control or drive us to wrong directions such as depression, disappointment,
meaninglessness, emptiness, etc. Instead of holding on to superstitious belief
in good and bad omens, we should consider loving relationship with God and neighbours, peace, unity, fellowship,
etc., as good ‘omens,’ and discord, conflicts, groupism,
fights, scandals, disharmony, unforgiving attitude, etc., as bad ‘omens’ or signs. Bad signs herald doom for us, but good signs make us
worthy to be among the elect when we are gathered by God at the end of the
world (or end of our earthly life).
Neither curse nor evil spell cast by witches
and sorcerers can affect a fearless, psychologically sound or balanced person
with a strong faith in God. Jesus has won a victory over Satan and
evil spirits by his Resurrection. Now because of the Resurrection, for a
firm believer in it, Satan’s battery is down. Satan cannot do any
harm to firm believers, unless they recharge his batteries with
their little or superficial faith and fear-complex that makes them
suspect the work of evil spirits or evil people (such as witches and sorcerers
at the time of misfortunes. Jesus came to destroy the kingdom of Satan by the
power of God’s Spirit and establish the Kingdom of God among us – a new society
where God’s power rules supreme over evil power (Mt 12:28). Since fear centres
around losing something we value so much – health, family, job, name, life – we need to develop a
spirit of detachment, and learn everyday to return to God all
that we possess. To overcome our fears we need to get into the habit of
repeating these words as often as possible with a deep faith-surrender: “Hold
me, Lord, in your arms of love and do what you want with me.”
5. Response to God's Word
Do we suffer from over-anxiety and fear about
the future? Who or what controls or drives us: God or fear? Does the thought of
death fill us with fear or hope? Do we wait for the last days with fear and
trembling or with eager longing and joyful hope? What makes us hopeful and what
makes us fearful? Do we worry more about the end of time or about living good
and holy lives? What are the bad signs that make us unworthy and unprepared to
meet the Lord whenever he comes?
6. A prayer
Cover me, O Lord, with your holy presence and
carry me under your wings. Hold me Lord in your loving arms and keep me safe in
your path. Into your hands I surrender all my fears, sorrows and future. Amen.
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