Word to the Wise
Sunday, November 14, 2021 - 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time - B
[Dan 12:1-3; Heb 10:11-14, 18; Mark 13:24-32]But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. [Mark]
It is not easy to stay in a state of alertness a long time for an event whose time of occurence is uncertain. Every year, those who live on the gulf coast have to check to make sure they have what they need to survive a hurricane, not knowing exactly when one is going to happen. The early Christian community expected the Lord's "second coming" to take place "soon" and one can see a gradual change in that expectation if one reads St. Paul's letters in chronological order! The gospels of Mark, Matthew, and Luke contain apocalyptic descriptions of what is expected to occur, but the Gospel According to John, the last one written, says little. However, "apocalyptic literature" was popular in biblical times as the Book of Daniel in the Old Testament and the Book of Revelation in the New Testament show us. This kind of literature, which was intended to comfort a community of faith under persecution, remains popular and there are still those who think they can predict the time of Jesus' return. Jesus' admonition against doing this seems to escape them!
There are two "second comings" in every Christian life. The first occurs at human death, which is certain for every one of us! The second is at the end of time when the Final Judgment will take place. Staying in shape for both of these is a lifetime challenge for every Christian person. We never know the exact moment, but we cannot let that stop us from preparing for it and staying in shape! AMEN