Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B November 18, 2018

First Reading
Daniel 12:1-3
Daniel prophesies about the judgment of the last days.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 16:5,8,9-10,11
God protects us and shows us the path of life.

Second Reading
Hebrews 10:11-14,18
Jesus’ offering for sin has made all to be consecrated perfect forever.

Gospel Reading
Mark 13:24-32
Jesus teaches about the signs of the coming of the Son of Man.

Gospel MK 13:24-32

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.

"And then they will see '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,
from the end of the earth to the end of the sky.

"Learn a lesson from the fig tree.
When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves,
you know that summer is near.
In the same way, when you see these things happening,
know that he is near, at the gates.
Amen, I say to you,
this generation will not pass away
until all these things have taken place.
Heaven and earth will pass away,
but my words will not pass away.

"But of that day or hour, no one knows,
neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."


Background on the Gospel Reading

This Sunday is the second to last Sunday of our liturgical year. As we
approach the end of the Church year, our Gospel invites us to consider
Jesus’ predictions and teaching about the end of the world. In the context
of Mark’s Gospel, Jesus’ words about this are spoken to his disciples as
he prepares them for his passion and death.

Before we consider Jesus’ words, it is important to note the political
backdrop against which many think Mark’s Gospel was written. Most scholars
concur that Mark wrote his Gospel for Christians living in or near Rome
about 30 to 40 years after the death of Jesus. This was a time of
political turmoil in Rome. Some Christians experienced persecution by the
Romans during the reign of the emperor Nero (about 64 A.D.). Jewish
revolutionaries rebelled against the Romans, which led the Romans to
destroy the Temple in Jerusalem in 70 A.D. In this time of political
turmoil and persecution, many in Mark’s community might have wondered if
the end times predicted by Jesus were in fact quite near.

Last Sunday we heard Jesus’ observation about the contributions being made
to the temple treasury and the example of sacrificial giving that he saw
in the poor widow’s offering. If we had been reading Mark’s Gospel
continuously, we would have heard Jesus predict the destruction of the
Temple, his teaching about the costs of discipleship, and the woes that
will accompany the end times. Finally, we would have heard Jesus instruct
his disciples about the need for watchfulness so that they will not be
caught unprepared for this final day of judgment.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus continues this teaching by offering his disciples
signs to look for that will indicate that the coming of the Son of Man is
near. His words and images draw upon Old Testament imagery, especially
images found in the Book of Daniel. Next, Jesus offers the lesson of the
fig tree, a parable that teaches that if one knows how to read the signs,
one can be prepared for the end times. Jesus also teaches, however, that
no one knows when the end time will come, except the Father. In the verses
that follow this reading in Mark’s Gospel, Jesus continues to warn his
disciples to be on watch for this end time.

Jesus’ words are not spoken to frighten his disciples, nor should they
frighten us. Rather, they are offered to prepare us for the changes we
will experience during our lifetimes and at the end times. Our consolation
and hope is found in the lasting nature of Jesus’ words and God’s
never-ending love for us.


Family Connection

Many things in our lives and in our world are subject to change. Yet all
of us find security in relationships and values that endure. Foremost
among these are our family relationships. We can confidently accept change
if we know that we will continue to be loved by our family and by God. We
help impart this sense of trust and confidence in our children with our
daily assurances to them that nothing can change our love for them.

As you gather as a family, look through several family photo albums.
Observe and talk about things that have changed in your family life over
the years. Talk also about the things that have stayed the same. We do not
need to fear changes in our family life because we know that the most
important aspects of our family life do not change, such as our love for
one another. The same is true with God and God’s love for us. Read today’s
Gospel, Mark 13:24-32. Jesus teaches us that things in our world will
change and that the world itself will one day end. We don’t need to be
fearful because God’s love for us will never end. Conclude in prayer
together thanking God his never-ending love for us. Pray together the
Glory Be to the Father.


Sources: Loyola Press; Sunday Readings