Homily of the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Daniel 12:1-3, Hebrews 10:11-14,18, Mark 13:24-32
All human endeavours will end, but God’s eternal designs remain forever. He has a purpose for the world. Forgetfulness can make us lose our guard and think earthward, not knowing that our journey in space and time makes meaning only when we think about how we shall live our eternity.
Moreover, Jesus is the beacon of eternity who has deign to mingle with us in time, that we may have our niche in his merciful designs for humanity.
“All the priests stand at their duties every day, offering over and over again the same sacrifices which are quite incapable of taking sins away. He, on the other hand, has offered one single sacrifice for sins, and then taken his place forever, at the right hand of God, where he is now waiting until his enemies are made into a footstool for him. By virtue of that one single offering, he has achieved the eternal perfection of all whom he is sanctifying. When all sins have been forgiven, there can be no more sin offerings.” Hebrew 10:11-14,18.
The sacrifice of Jesus is a call to take solace in the mercy of God. We cannot satisfy him by any form of sacrifice we make to him, because he is the maker of all things. Whatever we give in sacrifice is just a bit of what he owns, which we are only returning to him. All he wants is to surrender ourselves to him, allowing ourselves to be the channel of his grace, irrespective of our cracks.
Iin the gospel of St Mark 13:24-32, Jesus informed his disciples the different signs that would precede his coming. This information is meant to make us strong in times of tribulations, knowing that God is not far away. He said,
“In those days, after the time of distress, the sun will be darkened, the moon will lose its brightness, the stars will come falling from heaven and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory; then too he will send the angels to gather his chosen from the four winds, from the ends of the world to the ends of heaven.”
When all seem to be falling apart, God is not far away. We simply need to cling to him. A gaze through the dungeon of earthly woes we see the loving embrace of the Lord who prepares our souls for his eternal dwelling. Let us pray that the tribulations we face may not dim our vision of God’s eternal glory. Amen.
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