Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk
33rd
Sunday of the Year, B – November 18, 2018.
Readings:
Daniel 12:1-3;
Ps 15:5,8-11; Hebrews
10:11-14,18;
Gospel – Mark 13:24-32.
Theme:
No One Knows the Day or the Hour
Introduction
Friends in Christ, as we approach the end of the
Church’s liturgical calendar, we are reminded about eschatological realities
namely death, judgment, heaven and hell. As we await Christ the King Celebration,
the Church wants us to turn attention on where we would spend eternity. From
the vision of Daniel in the first reading to the assertion of Jesus in the
gospel, that no one knows the day or the hour when the Son of Man would return,
we are left with opportunities to reflect on our Christian calling so as to
find our spiritual bearing.
Background & Summary of the
Readings
The
first reading (Daniel 12:1-3)
recounts the vision of Daniel about eschatological realities. Daniel reveals that at the judgment, “those
who lie sleeping in the dust of the earth …will awake, some to everlasting
life, some to shame and everlasting disgrace.” Accordingly, he disclosed that
after judgment “the learned will shine as brightly as the vault of heaven, and
those who have instructed many in virtue, as bright as stars for all eternity.”
In
the second reading (Hebrews 10:11-14,18), the writer of the letter to the
Hebrews reveals that unlike other priests who offer sacrifices daily, Christ
has offered one single sacrifice and taken his place in heaven forever. The
epistle disposes the faithful to the reality of being reunited with Christ the
High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary where he ministers forever.
In the Gospel (Mark 13:24-32), Jesus reveals the
things that would happen at the end of time. How the Son of man will send his
angels to gather his chosen ones from the ends of the earth. He also assures
that heaven and earth will pass away but his words will not pass away. As to
when these things would take place, he, said, “Nobody knows it, neither the
angels of heaven, nor the Son; no one but the Father.”
The
Four Last Things
The
Catholic Church teaches that there are four last things namely, death,
judgment, heaven and hell.
Death: Death
is the separation of the body from the spirit. It is a reality that mortals
fear given the uncertainty of the world beyond. However, the Christian faith
teaches that “death is the golden key that unlocks the golden palace” noting
that “a death life is changed not ended.” This is because of the sure hope in
the resurrection.
Judgment: As espoused in the Holy Scriptures (Cf. Matthew
25:35-40) the final judgment would be based on the law of charity - That is why
human beings would be separated like sheep from goats. The virtuous will go
with the angles into life everlasting while sinners, to final damnation.
Heaven: Drawing
lessons from the raising of Lazarus (Jn.11:1-44), the resurrection of Christ
and the promise of paradise to the good thief (Lk.23:43), heaven is the
beatific vision which every Christian looks forward to. It is the eternal
festival which “those who have been washed by the blood of the lamb and by the
words of their testimony” (Rev. 12:11) enjoy the rich food prepared on the Holy
Mountain of the Lord (Is. 25:6). Heaven is a place where God would reunite
everything to himself while rewarding the elect with the gift of eternal life.
