Nov. 17, 2024 Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)
Today’s Readings: First Reading: Daniel 12:1-3; Second Reading: Hebrews 10:11-14.18 and the Gospel: Mark 13:24-32
In our theme today, we take the statement of Jesus which says that heaven and earth will pass away but his words will not pass away.
Why did he say this? It is in respect to the end time.
And what will happen?
Jesus said to his disciples: “In those days after that tribulation 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.” Mark 13:24–25
After these explanations, Jesus said that heaven and earth will pass aware but his words will not pass aware.
Why is he making this statement?
In a simple way he is talking about the end time.
When shall this general end time be?
Jesus said that no one knows, not even the angel but he said that his words must come to pass. This means it must take place.
As we come towards the end of the church’s liturgical year, we are reminded that one day all that exists will disappear.
What will happen when all disappears?
That draws our attention to what the book of Daniel and the gospel deal with today.
First Reading: Dan; 12: 1-3
The first reading is part of the vision of the Prophet Daniel concerning the end of time. It is remarkable because it contains the earliest statement of belief in the resurrection of the dead, the first mention in the Bible of ‘everlasting life ‘.
This is very important for the Jews people and for us today because among the Jews, there are people who do not believe in the spirit, soul, angels and the resurrection of the body.
We remember the case of Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, “My brothers, I am a Pharisee, descended from Pharisees. I stand on trial because of the hope of the resurrection of the dead.”(Acts 23: 6)
This continues to remind us that there will be a day we will be no more on this planet. However, the book of Daniel explains more what happens after that.
That’s where our attention goes. There will be resurrection of the dead. This resurrection is our spiritual resurrection.
Here, the place of our eternal rest will be decided; either to go to eternal life forever or eternal damnation forever.
Some people do not believe at all on the resurrection of the dead. But Jesus is telling us today that heaven and earth will pass away but his teaching on the resurrection of the dead will not pass away.
What shall we do then?
First to prepare ourselves always for the day. We do not know the hour. Jesus said that it will come like a lightening.
That’s what makes it more serious. If we had known the hour, day, week, month or year, we can relax ourselves knowing that before the day we shall prepare ourselves.
How do we prepare.
First through prayer. Second, by avoiding sin.
Third, by loving and taking care of the poor. Fourth, through regular confession. Lastly, by manifesting the joy of the presence of God in our lives by loving God with all our mind and strength.
We equally prepare by making effort to know God more through reading his words and serving him and the needy amongst us.
We pray that Almighty God may give us all the necessary graces we need to prepare ourselves always for the final coming of our Lord Jesus, Amen.
May Almighty God bless us and protect us from all evils through Christ our Lord Amen.
Have a great and blessed Sunday.
Rev. Fr. Ambrose Onyeka Anene, SDB, is the Parish Priest of Church of the Archangels, Gaduwa, Abuja, the FCT.
