The Sunday Gospel [November 18, 2012]
Mark 13:24-32
24“But in those days after that tribulation the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25and the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26And then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in the clouds’ with great power and glory, 27and then he will send out the angels and gather [his] elect from the four winds, from the end of the earth to the end of the sky.
28“Learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near. 29In the same way, when you see these things happening, know that he is near, at the gates. 30Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. 31Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. 32“But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
Reflection
As we draw near to the close of the liturgical season, we are reminded of the “last day” which is the fulfillment of our hope. The Gospel gives us sayings of Jesus expressed in apocalyptic language. As such, they are not meant to cause fear, but rather hope and encouragement to people undergoing persecution and tribulations. In Mark’s time, the hope and courage of Christians were being severely tested. In their suffering and impatience, they thought and prayed that the Lord Jesus would come back soon. They were mistaken in their opinion that the Parousia would occur during their lifetime, but certainly not in watchfulness. But as John Henry Newman would say: “It is better to be wrong in watching, than not to watch at all.”
The spirit of Advent is that of watchfulness and expectation for God’s coming into our lives. Certainly we cannot predict when Jesus will come because ”only the Father knows that day or hour.” It is sufficient for us to know with certainty that the Day of the Lord will come, and to go on with our lives with trust and eager longing.
Credits: Fr. Gil A. Alinsangan, SSP; On the Way to the Cross, excerpts
Source: The Reflection is from Bro. Abel Navarro (you can visit his blog at http://myblogabelnavarroabel.blogspot.com/).
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