Prepare for Spiritual War: 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time

Throughout the gospels, Jesus used parables to explain what the Kingdom of God is. For the 34th Sunday, he uses a different way to explain what is to come. He tells those gathered about what is to come.

Apocalyptic literature is used to describe something that will come. It will be a battle between good and evil or God and Satan. The purpose of it is to invite those who read it to be vigilant and hopeful. When we hear the word “apocalypse,” we tend to think of many references made in pop culture, like zombies devouring the human race, a nuclear fallout, technology taking over our lives to the point of enslaving humanity, or extraterrestrial invasion. It is safe to say that those will fall short of meeting reality.

The period of tribulation is seen in the darkness and “stars falling from the sky.” The victory is seen in the “Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.” Although, as Jesus tells us, we do not know the day or the hour, the victory will be assured; deliverance will come. We can rely on his help as we await the victory, for, as he says, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”

The prophet Daniel writes about a bright victory that will come, “At that time your people shall escape, everyone who is found written in the book. ‘Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake; some shall live forever; others shall be an everlasting horror and disgrace. But the wise shall shine brightly like the splendor of the firmament, and those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars forever.’”

The key to final victory is perseverance. Every Sunday, we say in the Eucharistic dialogue after the consecration of the bread and wine into Jesus’ body and blood that we will proclaim his death and profess his resurrection until “he comes again.”

Let us prepare for the final victory now. We do it by receiving the sacraments, praying the rosary, doing works of mercy, and attending Mass.  

Prepare for the end now with hope. Prepare for the end now like there’s no tomorrow. Prepare for the end with faith. Prepare for spiritual war