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Message from the desk of the Pastor:

THE THIRTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Sunday, November 17, 2024

Gospel Reading 

MARK 13:24-32
Jesus teaches about the signs of the coming of the Son of Man.

Background on the Gospel Reading

This Sunday is the second to last Sunday of our liturgical year. As we approach       the end of the Church year, our Gospel invites us to consider Jesus’ predictions     and teaching about the end of the world. In the context of Mark’s Gospel, Jesus’ words about this are spoken to his disciples as he prepares them for his passion    and death.

Before we consider Jesus’ words, it is important to note the political backdrop against which many think Mark’s Gospel was written. Most scholars concur            that Mark wrote his Gospel for Christians living in or near Rome about 30 to 40    years after the death of Jesus. This was a time of political turmoil in Rome.          Some Christians experienced persecution by the Romans during the reign of the          Emperor Nero (about 64 A.D.). Jewish revolutionaries rebelled against the Romans, which led the Romans to destroy the Temple in Jerusalem in 70 A.D. In this time of    political turmoil and persecution, many in Mark’s community might have wondered    if the end times predicted by Jesus were in fact quite near.

Last Sunday we heard Jesus’ observation about the contributions being made to    the temple treasury and the example of sacrificial giving that he saw in the poor widow’s offering. If we had been reading Mark’s Gospel continuously, we would    have heard Jesus predict the destruction of the Temple, his teaching about the    costs of discipleship, and the woes that will accompany the end times. Finally,          we would have heard Jesus instruct his disciples about the need for watchfulness    so that they will not be caught unprepared for this final day of judgment.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus continues this teaching by offering his disciples signs to look for that will indicate that the coming of the Son of Man is near. His words and images draw upon Old Testament imagery, especially images found in the Book of Daniel. Next, Jesus offers the lesson of the fig tree, a parable that teaches that if    one knows how to read the signs, one can be prepared for the end times. Jesus    also teaches, however, that no one knows when the end time will come, except the Father. In the verses that follow this reading in Mark’s Gospel, Jesus continues to warn his disciples to be on watch for this end time.

Jesus’ words are not spoken to frighten his disciples, nor should they frighten us. Rather, they are offered to prepare us for the changes we will experience during      our lifetimes and at the end times. Our consolation and hope is found in the lasting nature of Jesus’ words and God’s never-ending love for us.

Family Connection

Many things in our lives and in our world are subject to change. Yet all of us find security in relationships and values that endure. Foremost among these are our family relationships. We can confidently accept change if we know that we will continue to be loved by our family and by God. We help impart this sense of trust    and confidence in our children with our daily assurances to them that nothing can change our love for them.

As you gather as a family, look through several family photo albums. Observe and  talk about things that have changed in your family life over the years. Talk also    about the things that have stayed the same. We do not need to fear changes in our family life because we know that the most important aspects of our family life do    not change, such as our love for one another. The same is true with God and God’s love for us. Read today’s Gospel, Mark 13:24-32. Jesus teaches us that things in      our world will change and that the world itself will one day end. We don’t need to      be fearful because God’s love for us will never end. Conclude in prayer together thanking God his never-ending love for us. Pray together the Glory Be to the Father.