WWW; Be Wise, Watchful, and Wary in the present

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
Gospel Mk 13:24-32
Jesus said to his disciples:
"In those days after that tribulation
the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light,
and the stars will be falling from the sky,
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,
and 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.
"Learn a lesson from the fig tree.
When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves,
you know that summer is near.
In the same way, when you see these things happening,
know that he is near, at the gates.
Amen, I say to you,
this generation will not pass away
until all these things have taken place.
Heaven and earth will pass away,
but my words will not pass away.
"But of that day or hour, no one knows,
neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."
WWW Be wise, watchful, and wary in the present
What is the Catholic view on the end times? No doubt all of us are fascinated by this perennial question of the ages: what will happen during the end times? Who will be saved, and what shall we do as we await this inevitable moment of truth? Our readings are all about the end times. Daniel envisions that when the end times come there will be a judgment of all creation in which everything cannot escape. The wise will shine like stars forever and the wicked will be in everlasting horror and disgrace. Therefore, let us be wise. Let us focus on our final destiny who is God by living a holy and blameless life.
The Gospel episode this Sunday is usually called The Little Apocalypse which is similar to the Book of Revelation of John. This literature comes out of difficult times. The word apocalypse means unveiling or revelation. The message proclaimed is about hope in a coded language not understandable except by insiders and thus unlikely to draw the ire of critical authorities. Jesus in the Gospel spoke that there will be tribulation, the natural occurrence of destructions, the vision of the Son of Man coming down from the heavens in His glory and power, and angels descending to gather His chosen ones. Jesus’ message is indeed apocalyptic in origin that reflects a strong dualism-battle between good and evil. It presents dramatic visions of symbols-numbers, colors, and animals-codes that must be explained or interpreted.
However, it uses time, not as a cyclic (as the Greeks thought of time), but a linear movement toward God’s final judgment. It employs the reason to hope for the faithful who are in distress now will receive the reward in the end. Jesus uses the symbol of the fig tree that signals what season will occur. He highlights the supremacy of the Word that will never pass away. However, the hour or day is not known which is only reserved to the Father.
Therefore, living is not all about what will happen next or the end times, but to live in the present moment. How am I going to live my life? It is all about one’s journey because the end-the destiny is the consequence of my journey. This is the pronouncement in the Second Reading, Letter to the Hebrews that when Jesus offered Himself for the expiation of our sins, as our High Priest we will then be admitted to His Kingdom as His consecrated co-heirs.
Lessons:
- We do not need to know when the end will come. If we are following Jesus, walking in the right path, watching our behavior and conduct of life, there’s no need to worry or fear. Exactly when that will happen (Christ’s return to bring all human history to its consummation), it is shrouded in mystery.
- Avoid being obsessed with the details of how and when this will occur (pandemic, natural calamities, wars, etc.), sometimes neglecting how to live fruitfully and the whole point of this datum of revelation.
- We will always heed the call of Jesus: WWW: be wise, watchful, and wary -you do not know when the time will come.
- Christ knows that the battle between good and evil will continue throughout human history.
- We are all part of this history that will come to a definitive end, when the sun, moon, and stars might not clash while we are still here on earth, however, the whole order of creation will be transformed.
- Thus, let us not underestimate the idea of the end. Never take for granted that all of us will die. It is not thinking negatively about death or the end of the world, but a reminder that we have something to look forward to, that we have a deadline. We must do what we ought to do, what we are tasked or charged to do. Thus, every moment counts. Whatever good that I can do now, I will do it, for I will never pass this way again. Every moment is precious, indeed.
- Persevere and never tire of working for one’s salvation. "Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His purpose." Philippians 2:12-23
Spiritual Alertness
We live in a society full of soul-killing temptations and distractions. We hear in the news and other media outlets advertising violence, drugs, sex, and other maladies that seem not to disturb us anymore. Even schools would schedule practice sessions on Sunday morning, forcing the students to choose between sports and faith. The breadwinners in the family have to work on Sundays to keep up with the demands of parenting missing their Sunday obligations. Time in the Greek language has two words. Chronos is a measured or specific period which is a time that we will do something. While Kairos has to do with crucial time or a decisive moment-pivotal point in history. When we hear the expression: “missing the boat,” means we are missing the opportunity of a lifetime. Kairos time prompts us to say, “Now is the time to act!” This is Kairos time when it is a decisive moment.
We might miss our flight (Chronos) and book another flight, however, in Kairos, we might miss the opportunity of a lifetime. It is bad to be late or miss an appointment, but it is worse for Kairos time is to miss the last trip or might never be another boat. This is why some who have chronic illnesses and those who survived the covid, would realize that every moment of their life is too precious to waste. They now spend quality time with loved ones and friends, than ever before. Soldiers who served in combat know the requirement well-especially those who have served on guard duty. They keep their eyes open and check the cameras constantly, focused hour after hour, night after night. But being alert has another side, they must be ready for their faithfulness can be a matter of life and death, both for themselves and for their fellow soldiers.
Live the present with a sense of urgency
We will celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King next Sunday. Our liturgical year is about to end its cycle-this is what our readings remind us how close that is. The work of redemption throughout history is about to be concluded so that the year can start anew with the First Sunday of Advent. Next Sunday we celebrate the moment of the work of redemption where Christ becomes all in all, as St. Paul would declare, “Thy Kingdome come!”
1. Our personal relationship with God is our true priority, through prayer, the study of faith, and frequent reception of the sacraments. Blessed are those who cannot attend the Mass (the sick and the dying) but still be able to receive the viaticum (communion of the sick) because our lay ministers are bringing the precious body of Christ to them. Those who spend time in prayer before the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Did you know that this time is worth spending for the conversion of sinners and not only for their salvation?
2. The work of the building of God’s Kingdom is now by means of following Christ on a daily basis, sharing the Good News to others, if we don’t who will?
3. Living witnesses of Christ. By being honest, courageous, generous, patient, gentle, forgiving, humble, pure, and faithful.
As we continue with this Mass, we all thank the Lord for telling us what the future holds and we make a solemn promise that each day matters that we work to build His kingdom in justice and truth as we follow Christ’s footsteps.