The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to reflect on the End Times and our relationship with Christ.
The reading from the Book of Daniel presents an understanding of the Resurrection of the Dead.
* [12:1] Written in the book: cf. 10:21.
* [12:2] Many of those who sleep: Daniel does not envisage the universal resurrection as later developed. Two groups are distinguished, one that rises to eternal life, the other to reproach and disgrace. Then “those with insight” (11:33–35) are singled out for special honor.
* [12:3] Like the stars: like the heavenly host, or angels. Cf. Mt 22:30. (Daniel, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 16 is a Song of Trust and Security in God
* [Psalm 16] In the first section, the psalmist rejects the futile worship of false gods (Ps 16:2–5), preferring Israel’s God (Ps 16:1), the giver of the land (Ps 16:6). The second section reflects on the wise and life-giving presence of God (Ps 16:7–11).
* [16:6] Pleasant places were measured out for me: the psalmist is pleased with the plot of land measured out to the family, which was to be passed on to succeeding generations (“my inheritance”).
* [16:10] Nor let your devout one see the pit: Hebrew shahath means here the pit, a synonym for Sheol, the underworld. The Greek translation derives the word here and elsewhere from the verb shahath, “to be corrupt.” On the basis of the Greek, Acts 2:25–32; 13:35–37 apply the verse to Christ’s resurrection, “Nor will you suffer your holy one to see corruption.” (Psalms, PSALM 16, n.d.)
The reading from the Letter to the Hebrews proclaims the sacrifice of Jesus.
* [10:11–18] Whereas the levitical priesthood offered daily sacrifices that were ineffectual in remitting sin (Heb 10:11), Jesus offered a single sacrifice that won him a permanent place at God’s right hand. There he has only to await the final outcome of his work (Heb 10:12–13; cf. Ps 110:1). Thus he has brought into being in his own person the new covenant prophesied by Jeremiah (Jer 31:33–34) that has rendered meaningless all other offerings for sin (Heb 10:14–18).
* [10:13] Until his enemies are made his footstool: Ps 110:1 is again used; the reference here is to the period of time between the enthronement of Jesus and his second coming. The identity of the enemies is not specified; cf. 1 Cor 15:25–27. (Hebrews, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB, n.d.)
The Gospel of Mark relates the coming of the Son of Man to the lesson of the Fig Tree and underlines the necessity for watchfulness.
* [13:3–37] Jesus’ prediction of the destruction of the temple (Mk 13:2) provoked questions that the four named disciples put to him in private regarding the time and the sign when all these things are about to come to an end (Mk 13:3–4). The response to their questions was Jesus’ eschatological discourse prior to his imminent death. It contained instruction and consolation exhorting the disciples and the church to faith and obedience through the trials that would confront them (Mk 13:5–13). The sign is the presence of the desolating abomination (Mk 13:14; see Dn 9:27), i.e., of the Roman power profaning the temple. Flight from Jerusalem is urged rather than defense of the city through misguided messianic hope (Mk 13:14–23). Intervention will occur only after destruction (Mk 13:24–27), which will happen before the end of the first Christian generation (Mk 13:28–31). No one but the Father knows the precise time, or that of the parousia (Mk 13:32); hence the necessity of constant vigilance (Mk 13:33–37). Luke sets the parousia at a later date, after “the time of the Gentiles” (Lk 21:24). See also notes on Mt 24:1–25:46. (Mark, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB, n.d.)
Andy Alexander, S.J. comments that the way we can let our faith be deepened is to express our gratitude to our Lord at very times each day. We can thank the Lord for being with us - in whatever situation in which we might find ourselves.
And, the more we place our trust in the promise of eternal life, the more fearless we can become. To be without fear is so empowering. It is so liberating. It can allow us to face any challenge - even death itself. Death is just a scarecrow. It isn't frightening for us at all. Therefore, we can be bold. We can be courageous. We can face great difficulties, knowing that we will fall into the hands of a loving Savior. This lack of fear, this freedom, makes selfless love so much easier. I don't have to "calculate" what this or that act of love will "cost" me. In fact, Jesus has assured us that the secret to happiness is that we will really find ourselves when we lose ourselves in love. (Alexander, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “My words shall not pass away,” by Gregory the Great (540-604 AD).
"Nothing of this world is more durable than the heavens and the earth, and nothing in the order of nature passes away more quickly than speech. Words, as long as they are incomplete, are not yet words. Once completed they cease utterly to be. In fact they cannot be perfected except by their own passing away. Therefore he says: 'Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass.' As if he were openly to say: all that seems to you enduring and unchangeable is not enduring and without change in eternity. And everything of mine that seems to pass away is enduring and without change. My speech, that seems to pass away, utters thoughts (sententiae manentes) which endure forever." (excerpt from HOMILIES 1) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Mark 13:24-32 comments that instead of making us feel afraid of the future, these readings should influence the choices we make today.
So don’t procrastinate! Offer him your day each morning in prayer. Receive the sacraments as often as you can—there’s grace available to you every time you do. Call that needy friend today, not tomorrow, and ask how you can serve her. The Lord will give you all the grace you need to be ready to meet him face-to-face.
It’s so easy to let other things take priority in our lives and push out the time and energy we need to devote to our relationship with God. Don’t let that happen! No matter when the end times come, Jesus wants you to follow him now so you can be with him forever in eternity.
“Jesus, help me to always put you first in my life.” (Meditation on Mark 13:24-32, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler reflects on the texts for today.
Our Daily Meditations this week honor the wisdom, teachings, and legacy of Dr. Barbara Holmes (1943–2024), a beloved CAC teacher.
I’m an ordinary, everyday mystic. I’m not claiming special powers, just a life steeped in mystery. My family was comfortable with mysticism, spiritual discernment, and the use of spiritual gifts such as healing and words of knowledge. My Aunt Lee, a Gullah shaman Catholic, was my biggest influence. She saw dead people and mediated mystery for our family. She could tell you who was coming and going and how they were when they got to the other side!… She relayed messages from ancestors on the other side back to us….
It seems that at least in her understanding, you could choose your age in the life after life. So when you saw people in dreams, you would see them embodied as the age that best reflected their spiritual joy. My dad chose his 50s, and when I see him in dreams, that’s what he looks like. My mom chose her late 30s. I’m not familiar with that look for my mom, so I always hesitate, because at this point on the spiritual side, she’s younger than I am. There were all kinds of rules about dreams and encounters. My aunt’s messages always included what they called “verification.” She would seal the deal with the information that no one would know except the loved ones who had gone on. She’d tell you where a piece of lost jewelry could be found, or the content of a few last words spoken in private…. (Holmes, n.d.)
We are invited in the last weeks of the Church liturgical year to reflect on the End Times, our own and that of our universe.
References
Alexander, A. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. OnlineMinistries. Retrieved November 17, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/Archive/2018/111818.html
Daniel, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 17, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/daniel/12?1
Hebrews, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 17, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/hebrews/10?11
Holmes, B. (n.d.). Dr. Barbara Holmes: An Everyday Mystic. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved November 17, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/dr-barbara-holmes-an-everyday-mystic/
Mark, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 17, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/13?24
Meditation on Mark 13:24-32. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved November 17, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/11/17/1131357/
Psalms, PSALM 16. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved November 17, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/16?5
Schwager, D. (n.d.). The Son of Man Will Come with Great Power and Glory. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved November 17, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=nov17
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