Texts of the Readings
November 19, 2006
Thirty-third
Sunday of Ordinary Time (B)
Rev. Timothy P. Schehr
Daniel 12:1-3
X Hebrews 10:11-18
X Mark 13:24-32
In recent months we learned that the planet Pluto has been reduced in rank
from a full planet to a dwarf planet in our solar system. If some found that
news to be disturbing imagine their response to the Lords announcement
about the sun growing dark and stars falling from the sky.
It helps to know the words of Jesus
here are about fulfillment more than destruction. The heavens have always
served the Lord faithfully. In Psalm 19 the heavens declare the greatness
of the Lord. But at the Lords second coming the lights in the heavens will
yield their positions to the greater light of Jesus.
The light associated with God and
faith in God is superior to any created light Joseph, that dreamer who so
annoyed his brothers, saw the sun, moon, and stars bowing down to him. The
lights in the sky seem to recognize the greater light of Josephs faith. In
the final chapters of Revelation the glory of the Lamb is so bright there is
no need for the sun at all.
In all this talk about things ending
we should not forget that Jesus is also talking about a beginning. The
heavenly lights will fade away as the Son of Man comes in glory and power as
Lord of all creation. He will gather his faithful people into his kingdom to
enjoy eternal life.
This is bad news only for those who
live just for this world and give no thought to the world to come. Jesus has
a positive image to capture his message. He calls attention to the fig tree.
People know the summer months are approaching when they see the branches of
the tree come to life again. They know that soon they will be enjoying the
fruit of the tree.
The prophet Daniel would have
understood this language. In his fourth vision he learned about the
wonderful victory Michael would win for the faithful people. Their names
would be recorded in the book of life. They would shine brightly like the
stars in the sky forever. The background for this vision is the Jewish
revolt against an oppressive kingdom some two hundreds years before the time
of Jesus.
Maccabees 1 and 2 record the many
hardships the faithful had to endure during that very difficult time. But
Daniel assures the faithful people they will never be undone by mortal
plans. They have God on their side and they will win. They may not have
counted for much by earthly standards of excellence but by Gods standard of
excellence they shine like bright stars in the night sky.
What do we do with news like this?
Jesus cautions us not to run to our calendars and calculators trying to work
out the exact time and place for these happenings. What he does want his
disciples to do is live lives in readiness for it. Just focus on the
everlasting words of God. Entrust the rest to God.
The author of Hebrews turns to the
language of sacrifice to express the Lords victory. The priests of the
temple offered sacrifices over and over again for the sins of the people.
But Jesus is the perfect priest who offers up one sacrifice for sins. Now he
sits enthroned at his Fathers right hand waiting the fulfillment of time.
His faithful people will enjoy the benefits of his one perfect sacrifice and
enjoy eternal life with God.
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