Return to Holy Family Church Home Page
Technically next Sunday is the last Sunday of Ordinary Time; it is the Solemnity of Christ the King. Although this is not the last Sunday of the Liturgical Year, the major theme found in today’s readings are the “End of Time.” We have come to the end of the church year; the “green vestments” will be put away until after the Epiphany. Two Sundays from now, we begin a new cycle, Advent then Christmas.
In the Bible, the end is viewed as the end of the world and the glorious coming of the Messiah in judgment. The focus on the advent of the end of time (Eschaton), death, heaven, judgment, and hell (Eschata) are referred to as the eschatology the study of what happens at the “end,” the last things. Interestingly enough, when “hope” attempts to seek understanding, the underlying facts are as much about life before death, as it is about life after death.
The book of Daniel deals with the Babylonian Captivity. In story and symbol, the book is encouraging the Jews to stand firm in a time of persecution. Those who are faithful will survive and escape. The righteous and the dead will rise to glory, to shine brightly like the stars in the sky forever.
The reading from the letter to the Hebrews reminds us that Christ offered himself once and for all, for the sins of all people. The Old Testament Priest offered sacrifices day after day. But their sacrifices did not take away sins, regardless of how many they offered. Jesus’ sacrifice was sufficient for the forgiveness of all sins. This one sacrifice is renewed in our lives and on our altars. Christ who died for us, and who will one day act as our judge is still present among us.
The gospel of Mark tells us that the “signs” of the Second coming of Christ will be so monumental and of such a nature that they will not be missed. And we are to live each day as if it will be our last, for we do not know the day or hour when our life on earth will end, likewise we do not know the day or hour when Christ will come again in all his glory, only the Father knows when all this is going to take place. Consequently, we need to be mindful of our sins and aware of the judgment that will one day follow.
Our judgment will be based on how well we have tried to treat Christ in our neighbor. The Lord says in Matthew 25: “Inasmuch as you did (or did not do) it for the least of my brothers and sisters, you did (or did not do) it to me.” How well do we use the blessings and gifts, which God has given us? And do we show our gratitude in humble service, if so we shall enter eternal life. If we have given God leftovers, he may very well say that he doesn’t know us. This is another way of saying our judgment is not exclusively based on the “Ten Commandments.” It is not enough to say we have done nothing evil. We also have to be able to say that we have done well.
We should not be fear mongers. We are called to live in love and peace, with joy and hope. “We are called to have an active response to the negative experiences of life, refusing to allow despair to rule the day in the face of so much pain, suffering, and death” (Dermot A. Lane “Keeping Hope Alive”).
Fall is upon us; life forces have retreated deep into the recesses of the earth, there to await the invitation of spring and resurrection. These images or apocalyptic style remind us that good is able to withstand evil. That we need only trust in God.