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                                                                               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 Lord’s 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 Lord’s 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 Joseph’s 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 God’s 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 Lord’s 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 Father’s 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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