"But those with insight shall shine brightly like the splendor of the firmament..." (Daniel 12:3)
Reflections on the readings for the Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time (November 14, 2021): DN 12:1-3; PS 16:5,8,9-10,11; HEB 10:11-14,18; MK 13:24-32
MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
If we believe in Christ as our Savior and make a heartfelt effort to do what He asks of us, we can trust that He will call us to Himself.
It is common for people to fear the unknown, whether that means a new venture we are undertaking or simply walking around a dark corner. And there is nothing that seems more daunting than death itself. This is something every person faces, indeed, every creature. Yet there is something about the idea of the end of the world, the Second coming of Christ, the Final Judgment that we find particularly disturbing. Perhaps it is the very notion of finality. Perhaps it is because everything and everyone will either cease to exist or to be transformed. Yet, from both the Old and New Testament readings today, we find hope and comfort in contemplating an eternity with God. “My heart is glad and my soul rejoices, my body, too abides in confidence; because You will not abandon my soul to the netherworld, nor will You suffer Your faithful one to undergo corruption. You will show me the path to life, fullness of joys in Your presence, the delights at Your right had forever” (Psalm 16:9-11).
If we believe in Christ as our Savior and make a heartfelt effort to do what He asks of us, we can trust that He will call us to Himself. We already know that He wants us to rejoice in His love for us and to return that love. And we show this love not only by our prayer, but also by imitating His loving mercy in the way we treat others. It is not easy to follow Christ. It can even be difficult and dangerous to stand up for what we know is good and right and just. It can cost us a great deal in human terms. But if we commit ourselves to seeing with His eyes and feeling with His heart, we will choose His way. It is that simple and that hard. Heaven is ours if we want it enough and trust to our Lord’s mercy.
Suggested missionary action: Let us recognize ourselves as beings of both body and soul created by the Almighty and redeemed by Christ. As we appreciate our spiritual as well as physical natures, we also need to respect this precious God-given reality in everyone we meet.