Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
As we approach the end of the liturgical year (a new liturgical year will begin with the 1st Sunday of Advent), the scripture readings at Mass turn to end-times themes, what is often termed, “apocalyptic” writings.
Today in the reading from the Book of Daniel, we hear of a “time of unsurpassed distress” and how “Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake; some shall live forever…”. In the Gospel passage, we hear Jesus speak of days that are coming, days that will follow a great tribulation, and that will be accompanied by cosmic signs. Jesus says, “And then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in the clouds’ with great power and glory…”.
This passage is from Mark’s version of what scholars have come to know as the “Olivet Discourse”, a message delivered by Jesus on the Mount of Olives shortly before His crucifixion. In this discourse Jesus foretold two judgments. He predicts first a coming judgment upon Jerusalem including the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem – all of which is to take place soon, within one generation. The destruction of the Temple is a “prophetic sign” of the second judgment pronounced by Jesus: namely, the final judgment at the end of the world (see Mt 24: 1-31; Mark 13: 1-37).
We will hear these apocalyptic overtones from now through the First Sunday of Advent. The Church is preparing us to reflect, not only on the historical event of Christmas, when the Divine Word of God became flesh and was born in Bethlehem, but also to have us reflect on the Second Coming of the Lord, when He will return at the end of days to judge the living and the death.
The Lord, Emmanuel, God with Us, came once to save us and to prepare us for His second coming, when He will usher in a New Heavens and a New Earth. The Season of Advent invites us to be watchful, to wait in joyful hope.
He IS coming, so be ready!.
Sincerely yours in Christ Jesus, the Way, the Truth and the Life,
