First Reading: Dan 12:1-3; Psalm: 16. R. v. 1; Second Reading: Heb 10:11-14.18; Gospel: Mk 13:24-32
BE READY
BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP
Every thirty-third Sunday in the Church’s calendar is the Sunday penultimate to the last Sunday in ordinary time. What this means is that come next Sunday, we shall be celebrating the Solemnity of Christ the King which marks the end of the Year B of the Church’s liturgical year. As this end comes close, the Sunday readings like that of today are customarily eschatological in character, portraying scary images and the disturbances of celestial bodies that usher in the end of time.
The first reading from the book of Daniel speaks of the rising of those who sleep in the dust of the earth and the judgement that awaits them. The gospel is even scarier: “the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken” (vv 24-25). But as scary as these images may seem, they are not meant to frighten us but to remind us that there will be a time for the end of everything; hence, the need for us to be vigilant and to live right. This end that ushers in the coming of the Son of man could be our own death or the cessation of earthly existence. How ready are we for this?
When the end suddenly comes, we cannot negotiate extension. This is why we need to work towards a beautiful end to avoid pain and regret. Endings are always important. For some people, one of the qualities of a good movie is dependent on how it ends. Also, speeches that end in a very electrifying way whets our desire for more. In entertainments, politics or governance; the manner in which we bow out is very essential and significant. But a good end is best when the right things are done from the beginning that builds up to the end.
Psychologists have listed five common fears associated with aging: Losing independence, deteriorating health, loneliness, financial insecurity, and death. Speaking of death, some people fear the pain and suffering that come with dying, while others fear the unknown. The fear of the unknown is often about what happens next after the earthly life. But for every Christian, the answer is pretty clear: after death, comes judgement (Heb 9:27). And death is no respecter of persons or age. So, our readiness for the end and the judgement we shall face before God calls for a deep reflection today.
True Disciples of Christ do not wait for the end to live right; for no one knows the day or the hour, but only the Father (Mk 13:32). What Jesus wants us to do today is to turn a new leaf if we have been living wilfully and carelessly. Living right as a true disciple of Christ is a daily journey that builds up to the end. We must not be caught unprepared. So, how do we live right? What are the questions we need to reflect on today to ascertain if we are have been living the right way or not? Here are few of them.
What is my faith like as a Catholic Christian? How have I practiced my faith? Where am I at the moment? Does my life have any positive impact in the lives of those around me? Is there anyone whose life became better because of me? Or have I made people worse than I met them? Is there someone I betrayed unbeknown to them that I need to ask forgiveness to regain my peace? Is there something I need to begin to do now to build a peaceful and a happy end? If my end suddenly comes, will my negligence and regrets surpass my good deeds and my feeling of fulfilment? Will the things I remember now about myself give me peace and satisfaction in the last days of my life?
It is not about how much we went to Church that matters but how truly a Christian we are. How much have we loved? How much have we forgiven? And how much have we been charitable? How faithful have we been to our spouses? How good a parent have we been to our children? How honest and dedicated have we been in our workplaces? And how responsible are we as citizens and foreigners in our country of domicile? These questions and more should help us discern if we are out of line in living right.
When we view life from the end, we can suddenly become conscious of the important things we often neglect in life. We can begin to see things differently, act differently and reshuffle our goals to get back on the right track. This is why the readings of this Sunday that reminds us of the end are very apt and necessary at this time of the year. So, as we come to the end of the Church’s year, it is not a time to tie up some loose ends, but a time for complete metanoia (spiritual conversion). So that when the Son of man comes at an hour we do not know, he will find us ready.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Lord Jesus, as we look forward to your second coming, help us to be vigilant and ready through holiness of life and Christian charity. Amen.
