Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today's Scripture

We might find today’s readings disturbing at first. In the first reading from the Book of Daniel we hear about “a time unsurpassed in distress since nations began until that time” (12:1). In that time, some of the dead who arise “shall be an everlasting horror and disgrace” (12:2). Likewise, in today’s reading from St. Mark’s Gospel, we read, “In those days after that tribulation the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from the sky” (13:24-25).

For the faithful people of God, however, today’s message is one of hope, as we approach the end of the liturgical year over these next two weeks, and especially as we approach the end of our lives. Of the faithful of God the first reading says that when they awake from death, they “shall life forever” (Daniel 12:2). This is because of the sacrifice that Jesus our great High Priest offers in heaven, the sacrifice of Himself which we receive in the Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist. By this one offering of Himself, “He has made perfect forever” the faithful of God, “those who are being consecrated” (Hebrews 10:14).

It is above all in today’s responsorial psalm, however, taken from Psalm 16, that we see the cause for our hope as we prepare ourselves for the new liturgical year beginning with Advent. The refrain, “You are my inheritance, O Lord!” helps us remember that it is in fact the Lord  Himself who is our inheritance; we receive a share in Jesus’ own life, because He gives us the gift of Himself. It is God Who is our “allotted portion” and “cup” (16:5). It is because of this that our hearts are glad and our souls rejoice (16:9). We are not destined to be abandoned to the netherworld, nor undergo corruption (16:10). In the presence of the Lord we will find the fullness of joy (16:11).

In order to prepare ourselves for such joy, a joy we will begin to glimpse at the celebration of Jesus’ Nativity during Christmas, and a joy which we celebrate at every Mass, let us follow the words of the Psalmist and “set the Lord ever before” us (16:8). As this liturgical year comes to a close these next two weeks, let us make an extra effort to keep the Lord before us at all times. One way of doing this is by including short prayers throughout our day. We can say a brief prayer before each task that we set ourselves. Or perhaps we can affix a religious image (of a Saint, Mary our mother, an angel, or Jesus) to our work space (our desk, the truck we work on, our bench, the rooms in our house, etc.) to gaze upon and remember the presence of the Lord, of the angels and Saints. These are two simple ways to practice the presence of God throughout the day. In preparation of the weeks ahead, perhaps we can make a new year’s resolution to live out our faith more fully over in the next liturgical year.

Jeff Morrow