XXXIII SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
THE PROMISE OF SALVATION
By our Pastor, Fr. Carmelo Jiménez
We are almost concluding this liturgical cycle and with these readings I don’t know how to call this Sunday: Sunday of hope, Sunday of misfortunes or Sunday of sorrows? I don’t know. But above all these titles, the readings do not want to cause fear in us but want to help us to turn our eyes back to our God. The apocalyptic readings that the liturgy presents us invite us to be men and women of our time, not from yesterday or for tomorrow. For our future we have the promise of salvation, and for our past is announced the grace of forgiveness. So, with hope we can live each day in the love of God and the love of our brothers and sisters, without regret for our past or anguish about our future.
I want to clarify that the apocalyptic writing style is characterized by the contrast between the humble and often disappointing present age and the hope in a glorious and bright future. “it shall be a time unsurpassed in distress since nations began until that time. At that time your people shall escape, everyone who is found written in the book” (Daniel 12: 1b-2a). The book of Daniel, from which this reading is taken, belongs to the apocalyptic literature. The prophets interpreted history in the light of God’s covenant with his people, announcing the future prepared by God. The glorious future will come after the people’s sufferings during their pilgrimage on earth. This reading is also comforting because it opens a path of certain hope because God directs history. But the salvation and glory will take place after the destruction of the present world and the implementation of a severe judgment from God.
The part of the gospel that we heard is eschatological because it speaks with images of the end of creation. “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” (Mk 13: 24-25). We must fully understand the Gospel because otherwise we could stay with the images and signs, and not reach the significance. Here the most important part is the message, not the signs themselves. I should clarify that the creation that came out from the hands of God was all good, is good and will be good forever. Man must correct his way of thinking about and using all creation. Because by sin man broke the relationship with God, with himself and with creation. Hope is based on the extensive restoration of man to participate in the new and definitive creation in glory.
“And then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in the clouds’ with great power and glory” (Mk 13: 26). The Evangelist Mark uses similar language as the prophet Daniel in announcing the return of him who was afflicted, but his second coming will be in glory and power. The second coming of the Son of man will culminate history and express the glorious destiny for all humanity; and also will be the time of meeting of all believers and all men with Christ, who will appear as universal judge. Keep in mind: “but of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Mk 13: 32). So brothers and sisters, let us prepare our lives and live in love, faith and hope. Amen.