Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 158
Reading I
Daniel 12:1-3
In those days, I Daniel,
heard this word of the Lord:
"At that time there shall arise
Michael, the great prince,
guardian of your people;
it shall be a time unsurpassed in distress
since nations began until that time.
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."
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 16:5, 8, 9-10, 11
R. (1) You are my inheritance, O Lord!
O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup,
you it is who hold fast my lot.
I set the LORD ever before me;
with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.
R. You are my inheritance, O Lord!
Therefore 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.
R. You are my inheritance, O Lord!
You will show me the path to life,
fullness of joys in your presence,
the delights at your right hand forever.
R. You are my inheritance, O Lord!
Reading II
Hebrews 10:11-14, 18
Brothers and sisters:
Every priest stands daily at his ministry,
offering frequently those same sacrifices
that can never take away sins.
But this one offered one sacrifice for sins,
and took his seat forever at the right hand of God;
now he waits until his enemies are made his footstool.
For by one offering
he has made perfect forever those who are being consecrated.
Where there is forgiveness of these,
there is no longer offering for sin.
Alleluia
Luke 21:36
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Be vigilant at all times
and pray that you have the strength to stand before the Son of Man.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Mark 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.”
Reflection 1
Catholic Daily Reflections
The Tribulations to Come
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.” Mark 13:24–25
The “tribulation” of which our Lord speaks, refers to a great persecution of the Church and of those with faith. Regarding this tribulation, the Catechism of the Catholic Church states:
Before Christ’s second coming the Church must pass through a final trial that will shake the faith of many believers. The persecution that accompanies her pilgrimage on earth will unveil the “mystery of iniquity” in the form of a religious deception offering men an apparent solution to their problems at the price of apostasy from the truth. (#675).
Is this “final trial” happening today? Though it is impossible to apply Jesus’ prophecy and the Catechism’s teaching to one specific moment in time, the fact remains that this trial and tribulation will take place. That is for certain. But how and when it will take place we do not know. It might be that it already has taken place or that it is taking place right now. Only God can properly interpret these prophetic words.
With that said, this final trial and “mystery of iniquity” does take place in all of our lives in various ways. When we devote ourselves to the love and service of God, we can be certain that our faith will be tested and that persecution will be experienced in one way or another. Knowing this, however, should not frighten us. On the contrary, it was spoken by our Lord to prepare us and to help us endure whatever trials we experience in life. Jesus’ words must instill hope within us when we endure the suffering caused by evil.
Jesus also said that when we see persecutions, trials and tribulation, we must “know that he is near, at the gates.” In other words, the greater the suffering one endures for their faith, the more present God is. He is there, at the gate of your heart, waiting for you to run to Him in trust and hope.
As we approach the end of our current Church year, most of our readings at Mass will focus upon the end times. We will read about Jesus’ glorious return in glory, the end of the world, and the establishment of His permanent Kingdom as Heaven and earth are united as one. It could take place today or tomorrow, or it might not take place for thousands of years. But it will happen. On that day, the day of the final judgment, the only thing that will matter is our fidelity to God. For that reason, we must daily strive to live as if that day were today. We must diligently prepare for that day and live for that glorious moment alone. If life is easy right now, we should work to be more selfless and sacrificial so as to be prepared. If life is challenging right now, we must enter those challenges with hope and trust, uniting every suffering to Christ’s sufferings as a sacrifice of love.
Reflect, today, upon Jesus’ prophecy that “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.” As you do, know that these are words spoken not only to the Church as a whole, but also to you. Jesus wants you to know that any suffering and tribulation you endure, every “darkening of the sun” or any way that you feel “shaken” are opportunities for you to turn to God in trust. Invite our Lord into these experiences and know that they are signs of His closeness to help purify you and prepare you for the glorious day of His return.
Reflection 2
One Bread, One Body
“HE IS NEAR” (MK 13:29)
“Then men will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. He will dispatch His angels and assemble His chosen.” —Mark 13:26-27
In these last two weeks of the Church year, the Church pays special attention to the Second Coming of Christ. Focusing on Jesus’ return in power is critical for our life in Christ and our spiritual well-being.
Some readers of One Bread, One Body live in foreign countries and are actively persecuted for their faith in Jesus. Some of our foreign printers and distributors risk their lives regularly to spread God’s Word. If you “face death every day” (1 Cor 15:31) for your life of courageous faith, be encouraged. The Lord Jesus will always have the final word. Your Redeemer lives, and your eyes will see Him (Jb 19:25, 27). “He is near, even at the door” (Mk 13:29; Rv 3:20), and you will see Him coming with great power and glory to vindicate you (Mk 13:26-27). “Stand erect and hold your heads high, for your deliverance is near at hand” (Lk 21:28).
For those who don’t live for the Lord, Jesus’ Second Coming will not be humble and meek as was His first coming. There will be no gentle Infant lying in an obscure manger. His Second Coming will shake the cosmos in “great power and glory” (Mk 13:26; cf 2 Pt 3:10). Few noticed Him in Bethlehem; this time “every eye shall see Him, even of those who” reject Him (Rv 1:7). He will come as Judge (Jas 5:9). Therefore, repent now before it’s too late! Reconcile with Jesus now, for you know not the day nor the hour of His return (Mk 13:32).
Prayer: Lord Jesus, may I know You as Savior as well as Judge.
Promise: “You will show me the path to life, fullness of joys in Your presence, the delights at Your right hand forever.” —Ps 16:11
Praise: Praise the risen Jesus, Who will come again in glory!
Reflection 3
Shared from Daily Liturgy
In the Gospel Jesus speaks about the coming of the Son of Man with great power and glory to gather his elect. He asks us to anticipate his coming by our perception and see it by our faith just as we are able to predict the signs and changes happening around. The coming of the Son of man at the end of time is known only to the Father, so we keep alert to receive him. The First Reading talks about the resurrection of the dead, that when the dead awake, those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the sky and those who lead many to righteousness, like stars forever and ever. The Second Reading tells us that the single offering that Christ made for all time sanctified many and made them righteous as God pardoned all. God sends His Son to judge the world and reward the faithful. God’s ways are not always known to us, but it is certain that we have redemption through Christ and eternal life with God. Let us pray for enough wisdom to read the signs of the time and translate the same, and that we do not miss our promised inheritance, Heaven!
Prayers
Most glorious Judge, You will return one day in glory to judge the living and the dead. Before that day, You have revealed that Your Church will endure much suffering. Please give me hope during those moments in my life so that I can offer to You every suffering I endure as a sacrifice of love, offered in union with Your own perfect sacrifice. Jesus, I trust in You.
Lord Jesus, fill me with your Holy Spirit that I may radiate the joy of your kingdom and the fire of your love to all I meet and serve. Direct my life to the glory of your name and to the coming of your kingdom.
Daily Reflections on Divine Mercy
Reflection 321: The Seraphic Soul
Everyone is called to holiness and in that holiness is able to obtain complete happiness. But God always chooses some for a special mission of holiness, a higher form of holiness. These souls could be called “Seraphic Souls.” The classic example is to compare two glasses of water. One is large and one is small. They are both filled to the brim so they are both full. But one contains more water. So it is with holiness. Some are given a special calling to reach a greater height. All people are to be “full” of the Holy Spirit and, thus, obtain perfect happiness. But some are invited higher in a unique way. This is similar to the Nine Choirs of Angels. The Seraphim are of the highest order and have as their sole purpose the worship and adoration of God. The Guardian Angels are of the lowest order and have as their primary duty the service of man. Each celestial being is perfectly happy and rejoices in the unique calling of each (See Diary #1556).
Reflect, today, upon this glorious ordering of holiness for angels and for humanity. At first, it may not seem fair that some are given a special calling to holiness and even a special sharing in the sufferings of Christ. We must all ponder this truth and rejoice in it. And as for those seraphic souls in the world, and those given a special call to share in Christ’s sufferings, we should seek them out and seek the wisdom and grace that flows from their lives. God has a good reason for such ordering; it’s our duty to embrace it with joy and to benefit from their blessed vocation.
Lord, I thank you for Your perfect wisdom in ordering the holiness of both angels and humanity. Help me to always seek out those seraphic souls, the special saints, who have reached a glorious level of holiness. Thank You for their witness and thank You for their freely embraced suffering. May the world be continually blessed by their lives. Jesus, I trust in You.
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