Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
November 17, 2024 — Year B
Readings: Dn 12:1-3 / Ps 16 / Heb 10:11-14, 18 / Mk 13:24-32
by Rev. Nixon Negparanon, Pastor

Today’s readings are filled with powerful imagery and words about the End.  We hear a familiar message running deep in today’s readings: the reality of the End Times and the call to live in hope while awaiting God’s promise fulfillment.

We are approaching the culmination of the liturgical year, and the Church calls us to reflect on the End of Time and history.  On the 24th of November, which is next Sunday, we will be celebrating the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe.  This is a reminder that Christ is to reign over all creation.  Soon after this is Advent, which is a time of expectation of Christ’s coming.

In our readings today, the prophet Daniel talks of “a time unsurpassed in distress,” but at the same time, the hope for deliverance of those “written in the book.”  The Letter to the Hebrews reminds us of the uniqueness and completeness of the sacrifice of Christ for salvation and forgiveness, once for all.  In St. Mark’s gospel, Jesus speaks about the sun and the moon being upset and a new world order, ultimately God’s plan.  Let us consider, as we face today’s challenging readings, three messages they offer us:  hope, readiness, and trust in God’s sovereignty.

In the book of Daniel, we hear about a time of suffering; however, it also promises that “the wise shall shine brightly,” and that those who lead others to righteousness are “like the stars forever.”  The merit of hope carries deep conviction in the words that no matter how much chaos exists, the justice and mercy of God will always prevail. As Pope John Paul II said, “Do not abandon yourselves to despair.  We are the Easter people, and Hallelujah is our song.”  This is an invitation for us to have hope, even in the face of adversity or suffering.  This is essential to our faith.  The promise is that, for those who remain faithful, the darkness of distress will give way to the light of God’s presence.  As Easter people, we are called to carry this hope, not only for ourselves but to light the way for others.

The Letter to the Hebrews brings us back to the reminder that through Christ’s one perfect sacrifice, we are forgiven and set free from sin.  Jesus’ sacrifice has already secured our salvation.  This is something in which we should have immense confidence and peace, as we await the culmination of God’s Kingdom.  Although we may not know the day or the hour, we do know God’s plan is one of love, mercy, and salvation.

The world we live in today is usually distinguished by political, environmental, and social confusion.  Many are uncertain about, or anxious for, their future.  Yet today, we are called upon to put our trust in God’s sovereignty.  As Pope John Paul II said, “Have no fear of moving into the unknown.  Simply step out fearlessly, knowing that I am with you.  Therefore, no harm can befall you.  All is very, very well.  Do this in complete faith and confidence.”

In the gospel reading from Mark, we hear Jesus speak of signs in the heavens, and He assures His disciples that His words will not pass away.  This can seem unsettling, yet Jesus intends to wake us up from complacency, reminding us to be vigilant and ready for His return.

In the next few weeks, we will start Advent.  Advent is a season of preparation, not only for the celebration of Christ’s birth, but also for His Second Coming. The season reminds us to live in readiness with hearts open to God’s grace.

C.S. Lewis, in his book, The World’s Last Night and Other Essays, says, “Precisely because we can’t predict the moment, we must be ready at all moments.” No one actually knows the day or the hour except God. The quote from C. S. Lewis captures the essence of Christ’s call to readiness, urging us to live faithfully every day knowing that Christ’s return will come unexpectedly.  This thought encourages us to view each day as an opportunity to prepare our hearts for the fullness of God’s kingdom.

It is so easy to focus on the temporary: our daily routines, our immediate goals, the here and now.  But these readings challenge us to live our days, every day, asking ourselves if we are spiritually prepared for Christ’s coming.  Are we aligning our lives with His teachings, living every day as if it may be our last?  God invites us to re-center our lives on Him, to live each day with purpose, and to nurture a readiness that is grounded in trust and faith.

Sometimes we ask ourselves:  Will I see the end of this world?  It would be rather interesting if that happens.  Yet, our readings today do not give us the answer to that question.  They do tell us, however, what the end will be like, even though we may not live to see it.  They tell us that many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awaken.  Some shall live forever, and others will be condemned and cast into everlasting horror and eternal disgrace.

We should not fear the End of Times.  The important thing for us to remember is that God is our Father, and that Jesus, His Son, came to save us.  This is a reality that no one should be able to hide from us.  Each human being, while he or she is here on earth, should try to be more perfect every day.  This earthly life is a preparation for the kingdom that God has prepared for us.  We should ask to see God, to see His face, and for Him to show us His glory.  This is the destiny that God wants for you and that He wants for me.  That is why He has given us the Holy Spirit, so that we can actually one day see Him.  I hope that day comes for all of us.

Today’s readings remind us of the certainty of Christ’s victory over darkness, sin, and death.  The End Times Jesus speaks of should not fill us with fear, but rather a sense of anticipation and purpose.  We are called to live in the light of the Resurrection, and to share this hope with a world often overshadowed by despair.  As we move closer to the Solemnity of Christ the King, let us see Jesus as our king, not only in words, but in the way we live our lives.  His kingdom is one of truth, mercy, and justice, and by following His ways, we prepare our hearts for Advent and His eventual return.  Let us hold onto hope, live with readiness, and trust deeply in God’s sovereignty.  In doing so, we will stand ready, as people of the promise, confident in God’s enduring love and mercy.

As we await the great day of the Lord, let us remember Pope John Paul II’s words, “We are not the sum of our weaknesses and failures; we are the sum of our Father’s love for us.”  With that truth, we can face any future, whether in this world or the next.  May we live this hope, confident in Christ’s promise, as we journey together toward the coming of the Advent season, and prepare our hearts for the coming of our Savior.