Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today's Scripture
This week one of the most awaited movies of the year was released. I have not seen it yet and maybe I will or maybe I won’t. The movie is called 2012. This movie is based on certain cultural and astronomical assumptions. First, the year 2012 represents the end of the 5,126 year calendar according to the ancient Mayan civilization. The ancient Egyptians also seem to have predicted that cataclysmic events will take place in the same year. Part of the 2012 mystique stems also from astronomy. On the winter solstice in 2012, the sun will be aligned with the center of the Milky Way for the first time in about 26,000 years. NASA predicts a solar storm will occur between 2011 and 2012 but sees this as a natural phenomenon. Some Christian doomsayers are now predicting the end of the world in 2012 just as they did at the turn of the millienium. They suggest that the events in the book of Revelation will come to pass. I even read messages from Mary, the Mother of Jesus asking Catholics to prepare themselves spiritually for the events of 2012. By the way, there are internet stores that are already selling products to survive the destruction.
As Christians, none of the news about the end of the world should really come as a surprise. Beginning with the book of Daniel, from which we heard today’s first reading, there are ample references to the end of the world. Jesus himself gives a rather vivid description end times in today’s gospel reading. The only difference between Jesus and rest of the doomsayers is that Jesus did not pretend to know or predict the actual day of the end of the world. In fact, he admitted, “But of that day or hour, no none knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Mk13:32). In the Jewish and Christian literature such predictions have a specific name. It is called apocalyptic literature.
I am suggesting today that we understand today’s readings from the point of view of apocalyptic writings. Apocalyptic literature developed in the context of persecution. In the Old Testament, Israel experienced persecution from its more powerful neighbours the Babylonians, the Greeks and the Romans for centuries. It was in this context the apocalyptic literature first emerged in the book of Daniel. The fate of the early Christians was no different than the Israelites. For three hundred years they were persecuted. No wonder then that Apocalyptic thought found its way into Christian literature as well. The reading from Mark that we have today is called the “little apocalypse.” It was inspired by the rumor that the Roman Emperor Caligula was about to set up his statue in the main sanctuary of the Temple. Caligula also unleashed lethal persecution against the Christians. Persecution did not end with Caligula. During the later part of the Emperor Nero’s reign, there was another Jewish revolt and the Temple was completely destroyed in 70 AD. Nero burned Rome and put the blame on Christians. Hundreds of thousands were martyred during this persecution.
Passages like the one we have as today’s gospel reading have special relevance in times of persecutions, strife, natural disasters, wars and even during personal crisis. I would like to think that they have a permanent relevance for Christians who live with our eyes fixed on eternity. So I would like to draw out three practical implications from today’s readings.
Let me offer three practical implications for today.
1. In the apocalyptic understanding salvation comes in the darkest moment; things get increasingly worse until a new era that is totally new and strife free emerges. This is precisely why I think that apocalyptic literature is a commentary on life. Show me one era or a single day that was or is strife free. In fact, we know from life that it is unpredictable. We experience strife, sickness, financial difficulties, misunderstandings, violence, and war. The way we deal with strife daily is a good indicator of how prepared we are for Christ. So my first practical suggestion for us is that during this last week of the liturgical year, during these last months of the year 2009 we begin to evaluate and take stock of our life. Let us take stock of our attitudes, relationships, spirituality and resources. If we find that we are in peace with God, neighbour and our self today, then we should not have to worry about 2012 or any other time the world will end. Such people today’s first reading from Daniel are called wise people. (Dan 12:3).
2. The history of the Jews and early Christians reminds us that everything is transient. Kingdoms came and kingdoms went; emperors came and emperors went; nations came and nations went. As Jesus says, “The sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from the sky…” In other words, even the most consistent laws of nature will fade. Meanwhile only one thing remains eternal – God. As the calendar and liturgical year comes to a close, the church is reminding us that everything that we depend on will finally fade away. One day our nation will be no more, our world will be no more, our bank accounts will be no more, and all the things we have collected will be no more. The only thing that is forever is God. As Jesus says in today’s gospel reading, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” As Christians we must invest heavily in eternity than in the transient realities.
3. Apocalyptic literature can be pretty frightening if we consider the signs that accompany the end times. The book of Revelation for example is replete with images of beasts and dragons. However, the purpose of any of apocalyptic literature is not to beat people into submission but rather to encourage them to remain faithful in the midst of strife. The only people who have to be alarmed, frantic, frightful, and uncertain are the people whose lives are in disarray. Hopefully we are not one of those in alarm.
The God we worship and receive in this Eucharist is a God into whose hands we can confidently entrust our lives. Our God is the beginning and the end, the first and the last. As Christ places himself unconditionally into our hands, let us place our lives in his hands for in this is eternal life. Amen.
- Fr. Satish Joseph