First Reading: Daniel 12:1-3
Reflection:
The Church focuses on the return of Christ and the end of the world at the end of each liturgical year (which culminates next Sunday with the Solemnity of Christ the King). This is to remind us all to prepare for the imminent second coming of Christ, before we turn our attention to preparing during the season of Advent for celebrating His first coming at Christmas. This Sunday’s first reading and gospel reading focus on this theme of Christ’s return at the end of time. The main takeaway from Daniel is an indication of the final resurrection. “Those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake.” We profess this in the Creed when we say, “I look forward to the resurrection of the dead.” We also learn that we will all end up in one of two eternal states: Heaven (where we will “live forever”) or Hell (where there shall be “everlasting horror and disgrace”). We also hear reference to St. Michael the Archangel who “shall appear” and is described as “the great prince, guardian of your people.”
Second Reading: Hebrews 10:11-14, 18
Reflection:
The second reading continues from past Sundays to come from the letter to the Hebrews, with a focus on Jesus as the new High Priest. A priest’s primary role is to offer sacrifice. In the Old Testament, the priests sacrificed animals. The author of Hebrews says that those sacrifices “can never take away sins.” The animal sacrificial system, although it was good and God-given, was not sufficient. It simply gave a temporary fix to the problem of sin, not a definitive solution. Jesus, rather, offers the definitive answer because He offered the definitive sacrifice. Jesus’ death on the cross was the once-for-all sacrifice for sins. His sacrifice is sufficient to conquer sin and offer salvation to all who accept it because Jesus is God in the flesh. As God, Jesus is infinite. Therefore, His sacrifice has infinite value and can bring us infinite forgiveness of our sins which, therefore, leads us to eternal life. Jesus died so we may live and have life with Him for all eternity.
Gospel Reading: Mark 13:24-32
Reflection:
Jesus spoke in cryptic language here about coming judgment. He used language that is reminiscent of the Old Testament prophets, including Daniel in the first reading. There is dual meaning here. First, Jesus’ prophetic words pointed forward to judgment upon the city of Jerusalem. This was fulfilled in A.D. 70 when the Romans conquered Israel, pillaged Jerusalem, and leveled the Temple. This meaning makes sense of Jesus’ statement that “this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place.” The destruction of Jerusalem occurred within the lifetime of many who were hearing these words. Second, Jesus was speaking prophetically about His Second Coming. Jesus will one day “come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,” as we profess in the Creed. Although we do not know when, it is a fact that He will one day return. It could be today, or tomorrow, or next year, or 1,000 years from now for all we know. Our responsibility is not to know when but to make sure we are ready, whenever Jesus returns (or the end of our life comes). So, the question is, will you be ready?
Application:
- Jesus died on the cross to offer us eternal life in heaven. Yet, often times we get caught up in the here and now. This life is not forever. We will one day be held accountable for all that we have done. You’re invited to prepare by seeking to love Jesus above all else now.
- Ask for the intercession of St. Michael the Archangel to protect you and help you prepare for meeting Jesus (whenever that may be) through reciting this prayer daily: “Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil; May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; And do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.”
