Commentary
Sunday, 11/18/2018, Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Consider the Source
First Reading Commentary: Daniel 12:1-3
When we take time to meditate on the last day and the second coming of Christ and what will happen on that day, we usually think of the Book of Revelation. But today we learn that the prophet Daniel also had an insight given to him by the word of the LORD as to what would happen on that day.
Daniel tells us that Michael; the great prince and guardian of Daniel’s people will rise. It is the archangel Michael who is our defender against the devil and all that is evil who Daniel is talking about. This is consistent with what John relates to us in Revelation 12:7. Michael and his angels wage war against the dragon who is the devil and his angels.
St. Michael and all of our Guardian Angels have been at war, battling the evil one and his angels protecting us against their evil temptations ever since Lucifer challenged the LORD. But on the last day, the final conflict will occur.
We all have up until that hour to accept the protection of Michael and our Guardian Angels. Seems like a logical and very easy choice to make. In fact, you would think that the choice is so obvious that it does not even make since to consider it. But we live in troubled times and in a troubled world and troubled times are a part of Daniel’s prophecy.
But Daniel also tells us that when the last day comes, it will be a time unsurpassed in distress since nations began—the beginning of history. Some people believe that with all of the mayhem and chaos going on today, that the coming of the last day is immanent. Truth is that no one knows and in today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us that no one knows. Whenever the last day comes, those who have not accepted Michael’s protection, will fall into the traps of the evil one and as Daniel tells us, they will be an everlasting disgrace.
Everyone else will be those described by Daniel as the wise who shall shine brightly like the sky. Can you imagine yourself shining brightly like the sky? Never mind the fact that in this life, it is physically impossible. Because of sin, none of us can shine like the sky anyway.
The only thing that Daniel does not tell us in this prophecy is to have no fear. Daniel does tell us that the protected will be the ones written in the book and will escape. The book is the book of life. Is your name written in that book? If it is, then consider this: Shining like the splendor of the firmament is but a mere image for our human minds. In the next life, our brightness will be beyond measure and its source will be willingly and eagerly fed eternally by our God who is also the Source.
The Only One
Second Reading Commentary: Hebrews 10:11-14, 18
Once again, Hebrews tells us that only the one who is seated at the right hand of God can make sacrifice perfect. Once again, we must reflect on the fact that it was Christ giving His life away on the cross that defeated death, destroyed sin with forgiveness and paved the way for all of us to enter God’s Kingdom of Heaven.
Hebrews says, “Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer offering for sin.” The key words in this Scripture are, “Where there is forgiveness.” Why? Because in order to be forgiven, one must take responsibility—admit to their sins, confess their sins and then ask for God’s mercy. This means that we have to be vigilant not to make the mistake of Adam and Eve. Neither one of them took the responsibility for their sin and therefore, could not confess their sin. As a result, they could not ask God for His mercy. It was this failure as opposed to the sin itself that resulted in Adam and Eve being outcasted from the Garden.
As I reflect on this, I consider Christ and His Agony in the Garden—the First Sorrowful Mystery of the Rosary. Indeed, God did agonize over the failure of Adam and Eve. Indeed, God did agonize over sin being in all of our lives. Fitting that Christ would agonize in the garden. But Christ came to make all things new.
Not only are we called not to make the mistake of Adam and Eve; God has given us every resource and opportunity not to make the mistake of Adam and Eve. We have Michael and all of the angels to protect us. We have Mary and all of the saints to intercede for us. We have the Sacraments of the Eucharist and Confession. We have the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit to guide us and keep us strong. The Father even sent the Son to be one of us and then give His life to save us and set us free.
With all that God has done for us and continues to do for us, you would think that all of us will surely go to heaven. But sadly, that is not the case. Those of us who go to heaven will get their because we choose to use all that God has given us. We will get to heaven because we choose to go just like the wise in Daniel’s prophecy.
Watch Out! Its All Good!
Gospel Commentary: Mark 13:24-32
There are two parts to today’s Gospel. There is a prophecy from Jesus about His coming on the last day and there is the Lesson from the Fig Tree. In His prophecy, Jesus tells us what will happen. In the lesson, Jesus compares His second coming to a fig tree at the beginning of summer.
Jesus begins by telling what will happen after the days of tribulation which are days of all hell breaking loose. Everything will be going wrong, there will be war and there will be false prophets. Almost sounds like today but Jesus tells us that the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give light and the stars will be falling from the sky. None of those things are happening yet so we still have time. How much time? No one knows but Jesus tells us many times, including today, to be on alert because we do not know the hour.
Jesus testified to the way that He will come again saying that the Son of Man will come in the clouds with great power and glory and that He will send out the angels and gather His elect. In effect, Jesus gave a brief description of what John saw in Revelation.
Who are the elect? The elect are all those whose names are in the Book of Life—those who have chosen to reject the devil and sin so that they may be with God in heaven. I pray that I will be one of the elect. I pray that you will be too. Consider this: Christ will judge us but we will be judged on our actions which are the results of the decisions that we make which means that we will decide how we are judged.
In the Lesson from the Fig Tree, Jesus makes two points. 1- His Second Coming is something to look forward to and not something to be afraid of. 2- What He says will happen, will happen.
Jesus tells us what to watch for but He does not warn of doom and gloom. Not here. Why should He? It is His Second Coming. It is the day that all things are made new once and for all. It is the first day of no more suffering for those who enter the Kingdom. It is the day of the fulfillment of the promise of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Jesus also paints a picture of new beginnings by telling us that when a fig tree sprouts its leaves, we know that summer is near. When we think of summer, we think of good weather and all of the outdoor activities that can be enjoyed best or maybe even only during that time of year. Jesus wants us to look forward to His Second Coming in the same way that we look forward to summer.
But when we meditate on this and compare this picture to other visions of the last day, one is tempted to still ask, “How can this be—this new beginning?” Easy! All things are possible with God and nothing is beyond God. Besides, God is always giving us the message, “Be not afraid!” And, Jesus promised to make all things new and in the Book of Revelation, we see that all things are made new.
If one has chosen to follow Christ, he or she will be among His chosen. If that is the case, that person has no reason to question because they have no reason to fear. If one is afraid, that person is not at peace with God because they have not chosen Him.
