Thirty third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Reading 1 Dn 12:1-3
Responsorial Psalm Ps 16:5, 8, 9-10, 11
R. You are my inheritance, O Lord!
Reading II Heb 10:11-14, 18
Gospel Mk 13:24-32
Commentary:
Daniel:
In Daniel we begin with an apocalyptic vision of the end times. A leader named Michael will arise and great distress will come upon the earth. Daniel describes the separation of those to be saved and those not. He does not give any attributes to them; he merely indicates that that those who are found “written in the book” will escape.
He goes on to say that those “who sleep in the dust of the earth” will awake and live forever. This is a clear reference to the afterlife and the fact that there are those who will “be an everlasting horror and disgrace” clearly references what we call heaven and hell.
Psalm:
The Psalm is one of praise. It does refer to the end times as well; “because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld, nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption.” The intention of this selection is to remind us that there is a resurrection of the dead and that we should take heart in God who makes this promise.
Hebrews:
The reference here to Priests refers to Levitical priests of the Hebrews. When one of the early Jews committed an act contrary to Hebrew Law, they were required to make a “sin offering” to mitigate against the dire consequences there were likely to follow. We know that when bad things happened to individuals, it was thought that God was punishing them for an offense against him, hence the perceived need for the “sin offering” given by the priest. Jesus, through his supreme sacrifice remitted sins once and for all, something no false sacrifice could accomplish.
That is what is meant by the final line in our passage; “Where there is forgiveness of these, tere is no longer offering for sin.”
Mark:
This selection concludes Jesus’ prediction about the destruction of the Temple. Here he borrows imagery from Daniel to provide the more proofs of his divinity to the disciples he is speaking with. He warns that they should be vigilant because the time is coming and the hour and day are not known; “But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."
Reflection:
It is fitting that as we conclude this liturgical year (next Sunday is the Feast of Christ the King – the last Sunday of this liturgical year) we are pointed at the end times, the Eschaton. The first reading from Daniel takes us there with his description of how the faithful and the unfaithful will be separated. The Psalm rejoices in the promise of the resurrection of the body. Hebrews links up with the Psalm as it speaks of Christ great sacrifice promising forgiveness to those who follow him in life.
Finally we hear the last part of Jesus’ address to his disciples about the destruction of the Temple and the end times for all mankind. He provides further proofs to those rather “slow to believe” disciples in Mark’s Gospel, of the Lord’s divinity as he will come; “'the Son of Man coming in the clouds' with great power and glory, and then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds” and lets us know that it is he who will separate those whom Daniel refers to as having their names “written in the book” – it’s his book.
Beyond the reminder that there will be a reckoning at the end, what does scripture say to us today? We can take away a couple of messages. First, we can take heart in the fact that the Lord’s mercy is there for us. He offered himself so that all might not fall into, as Daniel calls is; “an everlasting horror and disgrace”. We have chosen to follow him and know his promise of everlasting life. Clearly we can rejoice in that message along with the Psalmist who also rejoices in the resurrection.
We can also listen to the warning that the hour and day of the end is not known and that we must remain on our best behavior because of that. We do not want to procrastinate saying; “I can reconcile with the Father for my sinful acts today. After all, Jesus will forgive me if I am truly sorry.” Indeed, Jesus for gives our sins. But if we know an act is sinful and still go ahead with it, is simply saying; “I’m sorry” enough? Will we not be called to account for our actions?
Today is the Lord’s Day and we rejoice in the Eucharist we will share. Let us also recall that he has, through his saving sacrifice, brought forgiveness to us all and in that sacrifice we share again today, we are offered a new start looking for our own glorious resurrection with him.
Pax
Readings for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Reading 1 Dn 12:1-3
Responsorial Psalm Ps 16:5, 8, 9-10, 11
R. You are my inheritance, O Lord!
Reading II Heb 10:11-14, 18
Gospel Mk 13:24-32
Commentary:
Daniel:
In Daniel we begin with an apocalyptic vision of the end times. A leader named Michael will arise and great distress will come upon the earth. Daniel describes the separation of those to be saved and those not. He does not give any attributes to them; he merely indicates that that those who are found “written in the book” will escape.
He goes on to say that those “who sleep in the dust of the earth” will awake and live forever. This is a clear reference to the afterlife and the fact that there are those who will “be an everlasting horror and disgrace” clearly references what we call heaven and hell.
Psalm:
The Psalm is one of praise. It does refer to the end times as well; “because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld, nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption.” The intention of this selection is to remind us that there is a resurrection of the dead and that we should take heart in God who makes this promise.
Hebrews:
The reference here to Priests refers to Levitical priests of the Hebrews. When one of the early Jews committed an act contrary to Hebrew Law, they were required to make a “sin offering” to mitigate against the dire consequences there were likely to follow. We know that when bad things happened to individuals, it was thought that God was punishing them for an offense against him, hence the perceived need for the “sin offering” given by the priest. Jesus, through his supreme sacrifice remitted sins once and for all, something no false sacrifice could accomplish.
That is what is meant by the final line in our passage; “Where there is forgiveness of these, tere is no longer offering for sin.”
Mark:
This selection concludes Jesus’ prediction about the destruction of the Temple. Here he borrows imagery from Daniel to provide the more proofs of his divinity to the disciples he is speaking with. He warns that they should be vigilant because the time is coming and the hour and day are not known; “But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."
Reflection:
It is fitting that as we conclude this liturgical year (next Sunday is the Feast of Christ the King – the last Sunday of this liturgical year) we are pointed at the end times, the Eschaton. The first reading from Daniel takes us there with his description of how the faithful and the unfaithful will be separated. The Psalm rejoices in the promise of the resurrection of the body. Hebrews links up with the Psalm as it speaks of Christ great sacrifice promising forgiveness to those who follow him in life.
Finally we hear the last part of Jesus’ address to his disciples about the destruction of the Temple and the end times for all mankind. He provides further proofs to those rather “slow to believe” disciples in Mark’s Gospel, of the Lord’s divinity as he will come; “'the Son of Man coming in the clouds' with great power and glory, and then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds” and lets us know that it is he who will separate those whom Daniel refers to as having their names “written in the book” – it’s his book.
Beyond the reminder that there will be a reckoning at the end, what does scripture say to us today? We can take away a couple of messages. First, we can take heart in the fact that the Lord’s mercy is there for us. He offered himself so that all might not fall into, as Daniel calls is; “an everlasting horror and disgrace”. We have chosen to follow him and know his promise of everlasting life. Clearly we can rejoice in that message along with the Psalmist who also rejoices in the resurrection.
We can also listen to the warning that the hour and day of the end is not known and that we must remain on our best behavior because of that. We do not want to procrastinate saying; “I can reconcile with the Father for my sinful acts today. After all, Jesus will forgive me if I am truly sorry.” Indeed, Jesus for gives our sins. But if we know an act is sinful and still go ahead with it, is simply saying; “I’m sorry” enough? Will we not be called to account for our actions?
Today is the Lord’s Day and we rejoice in the Eucharist we will share. Let us also recall that he has, through his saving sacrifice, brought forgiveness to us all and in that sacrifice we share again today, we are offered a new start looking for our own glorious resurrection with him.
Pax
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