END of TIMES
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November 16, 2024Many of us would feel uncomfortable whenever we talk about the end of world. We fear what happens next after the rapture. Numerous movies and novels have dwelt on the theme of apocalypse (Greek word apokalyptein: uncover,reveal) and more often, they presented it a very scary manner. Known dictionaries also described this in such away that we end up feeling helpless. Apocalypse is a very serious event resulting in great destruction (Cambridge Dictionary); It is a disaster resulting in drastic, irreversible damage to human society or the environment, especially ona global scale (Oxford English Dictionary); It is the end or destruction of the world especially as described in the Christian Bible (Meriam-Webster Dictionary). Who would not be afraid with such descriptions of the apocalypse?
Our scriptural readings this 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time present to us the same theme of the end times. Mark emphasized, "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). This echoes what Prophet Daniel has proclaimed in our First Reading, "At that time there shall arise Michael, the great prince, guardian of your people; it shall be a time unsurpassed in distress since nations began until that time.” (Daniel 12:1) What this themetries to tell us?
We are about to enter the new liturgical year after next week’s Solemnity of our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe and we are being reminded once again to be alert and awake for we do not know the time when we’ll come face to face with God. The readings should not let us feel fearful nor leave us restless for these words give us encouragement and usher us to a life with hopeful expectation. “At that time your people shall escape, everyone who is found written in the book.” (Daniel 12:1) "And then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in the clouds' with great power and glory.” (Mark 13:26) God is in full control of everything and this is not something to be feared of but an assurance of greater and fuller life in Him. We just have to be ready withhearts expectantly joyful for His coming.
Every 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time is also World Day of the Poor as proclaimed by Pope Francis in his Apostolic Letter Misericordia et Misera (Mercy and Misery, 2016). He emphasized: “This would be the worthiest way to prepare for the celebration of the Solemnity of our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, who identified with the little ones and the poor and who will judge us on our works of mercy (cf. Mt 25:31-46). It would be a day to help communities and each of the baptized to reflect on how poverty is at the very heart of the Gospel and that, as long as Lazarus lies at the door of ourhomes (cf. Lk 16:19-21), there can be no justice or social peace.” This is one way of getting ready for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ as Pope Francis added, “This Day will also represent a genuine form of new evangelization (cf. Mt11:5) which can renew the face of the Church as She perseveres in her perennial activity of pastoral conversion and witness to mercy.”
