Homily 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Mk 13:24-32 Dan 12:1-3 Heb 10:11-14.18
focus: It is impossible to know exactly beforehand when the end of the world and the end of our own lives will come.
function: We are invited to be watchful and ready.
It will be 30 years in 2025 that my father died of a brain tumor. When he was diagnosed, the oncologist told him that he had about nine more months to live, and this prediction came true. These months were a challenging but valuable time for him.
Providentially, I was home at the time of the diagnosis – from Africa where I served as a missionary. His physical condition was not too bad yet. We prayed together every day, went on outings, and told one another some important things. Our relationship, which had not been too great at times before, really came in order. Then I went back to my assignment in Tanzania.
As the months passed by, my dad went through some real struggle, understandably, he was only 62 years old. Finally, though he came to accept his situation, with the help of his own prayer and the prayer of many people for him. In the end he was grateful for every little gesture of thoughtfulness and help from folks around him. When his passing was near, I was able to go and see him again. He recognized me. The last word he said was my name, “Thomas!” A few hours later he breathed his last. In spite of his terrible suffering, this time was also a grace for my dad. He could consciously prepare for the end of his life.
The topic of today’s gospel is the end of all things and the Second Coming of Christ. The Christians of the first century believed that the Lord’s return was impending. Jesus’ own words during his lifetime has suggested this. Great cosmic events involving the sun, the moon and the stars would take place and herald the gathering of those who had remained faithful to him.
However, Jesus also said, “of that day or hour no one knows,
…only the Father in heaven.” The point of time, when it will happen, is unknown to us.
Perhaps we will not witness the end and the consummation of all things during our lifetime. We do know for sure, however, that at one moment, maybe years or only days from now, our own earthly life will end. Near the conclusion of the liturgical year, we are being reminded today that time has a direction, a goal and an end: the time of humanity and the precious time of our own lives. Therefore, Jesus’ words that follow immediately after today’s gospel text in Mark are important: “Be watchful, be alert!”
Dear sisters and brothers, it is impossible to know exactly beforehand when the end of the world and the end of our own lives will come. For this reason, Jesus calls upon us to be watchful and ready.
What if we had only one day left to live? I can try to imagine this. How would I spend this day? Which people would I try to meet or call? Would I write a letter or message to my relatives and friends expressing what I want them to know? What else would I do? These are good questions because they can help us to live more consciously instead of being caught up with the perhaps urgent but not most important things in life.
Today’s first reading from the Book of Daniel gives us the first testimony in the Old Testament to a belief in life after death, which was born during a time of war, persecution and great suffering: “Those who led many to justice shall be like the stars forever.” The early church could build upon this faith
Our second reading points out to us that Jesus by his self-offering on the cross and his resurrection from the dead, which become present in every Eucharist, has conquered the power of human sin and death. Every sin and every death! Our journey to holiness and perfection is made possible by his presence, his example, and his work.
We may trust that Christ, if we have oriented our lives here on earth toward Him, will one day gather us and lead us to his heavenly dwelling place where there is no pain, sorrow and darkness anymore, but only light and joy. AMEN.
~Fr. Thomas Leitner, OSB