SUNDAY READINGS

 

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time.

 

1st Reading:  Dan 12:1-13.

2nd Reading: Heb 10:11-14.

Gospel Reading:  Mk 13:24-32.

 

 

In both the 1st Reading and the Gospel passage we have examples of a particular style of writing called 'Apocalyptic'. The language is poetic, colourful and exotic. Exaggeration to heighten the effect is common. It needs to be read and interpreted with care. Its purpose is to give a message of hope to a people enduring oppression or persecution in the present, by assuring them that no matter how bad times are and even if they get worse, God has not abandoned them and will come, not to judge, but to gather his scattered flock For those who remain steadfast it will be a time of great joy and reward.

 

 

1st Reading. 

 

The Jewish people were being persecuted for their faith under the Greek king, Antiochus Epiphanes who looted the temple and erected an altar to a pagan god in the sanctuary. All had to honour the pagan gods and those found practising the Law were put to death.

 

The aim of the Book of Daniel was to sustain faith and hope among the persecuted Jews. The end will come by God's power in God's good time and each nation will have an advocate in the heavenly court.

 

Michael will stand up to represent Israel and those who remained steadfast will be rewarded with everlasting life. Those who chose to abandon the Law and honour the pagan Gods will suffer everlasting shame and disgrace.

 

This mention of everlasting life is the first clear reference to a belief in the resurrection from the dead that we find in the Bible.

 

 

Gospel Reading. 

 

This passage is taken from the farewell discourse of Jesus in Chapter 13 which draws on the apocalyptic tradition, which tells of the tribulations and the cosmic upheaval which will precede the beginning of the new age when the mysterious figure of the Son of Man will come to gather the elect from the four winds.

 

For Mark's community it was a message of hope in the midst of persecution, something to cling to while the Lord was absent and while they awaited the second coming. It was intended to give them courage to endure to the end, which they expected to come soon. The Temple had been destroyed and Temple worship was no more and it seemed that the small Christian community would be completely wiped out by the persecutions.

 

Just as the new leaves on the fig tree herald the coming of Summer, so too the persecutions and tribulations herald the coming of the Son of Man and the beginning of the final defeat of evil, and the coming of the reign of God.

 

Nobody knows when this will happen except the Father, so there is no point in speculating about it. If we remain faithful, then we will be prepared and it will be for us a joyful time.

 

 

                                          Updated by Br. Dick Burke   8/11/2009.

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