November 15, 2015
Sunday, 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
1st Reading: Dan 12:1-3
2nd Reading: Heb 10:11-14, 18
Gospel: Mk 13:24-32
Jesus said to his disciples, “Later on, in those days after that disastrous time, the sun will grow dark, the moon will not give its light, the stars will fall out of the sky and the whole universe will be shaken.
Then people will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And he will send the angels to gather his chosen people from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the sky.
“Learn a lesson from the fig tree. As soon as its branches become tender and it begins to sprout leaves, you know that summer is near.
In the same way, when you see these things happening, know that the time is near, even at the door.
Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all this has happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
“But, regarding that Day and that Hour, no one knows when it will come, not even the angels, not even the Son, but only the Father.”
D@iGITAL-EXPERIENCE
(Daily Gospel in the Assimilated Life Experience)
Today’s Gospel ends Chapter 13 of St. Mark’s Gospel. This chapter opens with Jesus’ prediction of the destruction of the Temple (Mark 13: 1-2), prompting Peter, James, John and Andrew to ask when would the destruction happen and what signs would precede its happening (Mark 13:3-4). This triggers Jesus’ eschatological (related to the last things) discourses. These discourses highlight the following, to wit: Emergency instructions, the signs of the times, and God’s timely intervention.
His emergency instruction is, “See that no one deceives you. Many will come in my name saying, ’I am he,’ and they will deceive many. When you hear of wars… do not be alarmed; such things must happen, but it will not yet be the end….” (Mark 13:5-13). As to his reference to the signs of the times, Jesus talked about disastrous abomination. Scholars believe this refers to the profanation of the Temple by Roman authorities. The assurance of intervention is clear when he said, “After that tribulation… they will see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory” (Mark 13:24-32).
The foregoing instructions come with this important postscript: “No one but the Father knows the precise time” (Mark 13: 32). Not even the angels of heaven or Jesus himself know when these would occur. So let us be vigilant, for we do not know the day nor the hour. (Mark 13: 33-37). Let us keep that sense of urgency because while it is true that the world may not end tomorrow, our life can end anytime today.—Rev. Fr. Dan Domingo P. delos Angeles, Jr., DM. Email:dan.delosangeles@gmail.com. Website: www.frdan.org.
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