Sunday Scripture Readings

Printer-friendly versionSend to friend THIRTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, NOVEMBER 16 Daniel 12:1-3; Psalm 16; Hebrews 10:11-14, 18; Mark 13:24-32 OUR GOOD NEWS: The universe isn’t drifting aimlessly toward ob-literation but has a definite purpose and eternal goal. Today’s Gospel selection is the stuff from which bumper stickers are made but also from which saints, celebrated and unknown, derive strength in adversity. The passage can be read trivially or over-literally, as a detailed prediction of actual future events. It can be read profoundly, as an ultimate basis for Christian hope and realism. It invites us to view the desolating troubles of our times, whether worldwide (international terrorism, threat of nuclear disaster) or personal (cancer, unemployment, declining health), in the perspective of God’s final purpose. Despite appearances, the end is not yet: Don’t despair. Paradoxically, such troubles should become occasions for our renewed hope. They mark beginnings of the end, birth pangs of an eagerly awaited, new and final age. The Son of Man, whose "words" are sure and "will not pass away," is near rather than far. He will come bearing a glorious future for those who refuse to give up hope. In today’s Gospel Jesus limited Himself to stereotyped biblical language and themes. He thus avoided the bizarre and grotesque so common in apocalyptic speculation of His time. Nor do these words satisfy a thirst for certitude for historically verifiable events which preoccupies certain Christian communities. Jesus did not here describe or predict End Time. Instead, He applied standard Old Testament categories about the ultimate vindication of God’s people to Himself and His redemptive work. Through a collage of prophetic texts this passage proclaims that "the time" is now at hand in Jesus’ own person: "The fig tree (now) begins to sprout leaves." From Mark’s viewpoint — which we share — end times have already begun. In part, they are both past occurrence and present reality. This situation has been brought about through Jesus’ death and resurrection, followed by an in-gathering of believers into the Church. Original disciples ("this generation") lived to witness these decisive events. As a result, what the Old Testament presumed would take place simultaneously — the ultimate triumph of God’s saving purpose — is in the New Testament divided into an "already" and a "not yet." Apocalyptic imagery of today’s Gospel applies to both "times." For example, terrifying celestial phenomena serve as imagery in texts like Isaiah 13:10. Here they no longer announce destruction of Israel’s enemies but the beginning of a new world inaugurated by Jesus’ redemptive acts. As a result, Jesus is proclaimed worldwide as "Son of Man, coming (for our salvation through Baptism) in the clouds" where He is enthroned with the Father as our heavenly intercessor and ruler — see today’s second reading. Another familiar Old Testament motif is God’s promised restoration of Jews scattered throughout the ancient world to the Promised Land, there to enjoy fullness of blessings. Jesus continues to "dispatch His messengers and assemble His chosen from the four winds," overseeing a universal in-gathering of pagan nations into the new People of God. In part, we already experience within the Christian community the end of the world and coming of God’s kingdom, where hope in Jesus’ return sustains faithful disciples during life’s trials.

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