33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time C by Cardinal Tagle Are you terrified last year 2000 as predicted by some sects as the end of the world? Our Lord reminds us, Watch out; don’t be fooled. Many men, claiming to speak for me, will come and say, ‘The time has come!’ Don’t be afraid … they do not mean that the end is near (Lk 21:8-9). Scientists believe it in billions of years from now for the end of the world due to the sun’s energy exhaustion. The Church teaches us that “we do not know the time for the consummation of the earth and of humanity” (Vat. II, GS #39; CCC:673). In the Gospel (Lk 21:5-19), Jesus announced the coming destruction of the temple, “the time will come when not a single stone here will be left in its place” (Lk 21:6). The Church teaches its meaning: “He identified himself with the temple by presenting himself as God’s definitive dwelling place among men. Therefore his being put to bodily death presaged the destruction of the Temple, which would manifest the dawning of a new age in the history of salvation: ‘The hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father.’” (CCC: 586). During the liturgy we acknowledge that “We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.” Let us look forward to the second coming of Christ without anxiety and pray to God the Father, “Lord, protect us from all anxiety as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ” and “stand firm and you will save yourselves” (Lk 21:19). To watch the video on 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time C by Cardinal Chito Tagle, please click this link: 1st Reading: Mal 3:19-20 – the sun of justice will shine on you: youtube/watch?v=89JP9qCYzkw 2nd Reading: 2 Thess 3:7-12 – If anyone is unwilling to work, neither should that one eat: youtube/watch?v=UgrTPo3BX3w Gospel: Lk 21:5-19 – By your perseverance you will secure your lives: youtube/watch?v=JPgr9n1wpsY The End is a New Beginning Lk 21:5-19 Two housewives were talking about their husbands. “Last Christmas,” said the first woman, “I gave my husband a nice gift – a gold necklace. He has worn it everyday ever since.” The second woman said, “Good for you. My husband is different. I bought a very expensive Christmas gift for him two years ago but I never saw him use it even once.” “Why?” her friend asked. “What was your gift?” She answered, “A memorial plan!” The month of November is set aside by the Church as an opportunity for us to pray for the faithful departed. This is also a reminder to the living that our life in this world is short and limited. In the Gospel this Sunday, Jesus predicts the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, as well as the catastrophic events that signal the end of the world. This is not to frighten and throw us into panic. He is simply saying the truth. Everybody dies. This world, and everything in it, will perish. According to St. Paul, “The present form of this world is passing away” (1Cor 7:29:31). But Jesus assures us: “Do not be terrified!” If we look closely at the events he mentioned, these are already happening all over the world that we see on TV every day: earthquakes, hurricanes, wars, false prophecies, famines, and many other natural and man-made calamities. As Christians, we should not concern ourselves with the details of when and how the end of the world will come. In fact, Jesus warns us that when these tragic events happen, “such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end.” Nevertheless, he mentioned some specific problems that his followers will encounter before the end takes place: persecutions and accusations from both political and religious powers, betrayals even by their own family and friends and martyrdom. Another sign of his imminent second coming is massive apostasy – when many believers would turn away from the true faith: “When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” (Lk 18:8). We see all these now very clearly. But should we be afraid and sad? I remember an incident in the seminary. One seminarian, known for his sense of humor, was assigned to do the spiritual reading before the Mass in the morning. Noticing that most of the seminarians were asleep, he decided to say something unusual. At the end of the reading, instead of saying, “This is the Word of the Lord”, in a solemn voice, he said, “My brothers, this is the end of the world!” The seminarians, still sleepy, responded: “Thanks be to God!” The end of the world is not something we must fear, but should be thankful to God for. In the first reading, through the prophet Malachi, God says: “But for those who fear my name, there will arise the sun of justice with its healing rays” (Mal 3:20). Jesus affirmed this when he said, “But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads, for your redemption is at hand” (Lk 21:28). In other words, the end is not about total annihilation and destruction but a new beginning. It is similar to graduation ceremonies – “Commencement Exercises,” we say. The end of studies is the beginning of a new stage in the life of a person. The graduate rejoices as he leaves the portals of his Alma Mater, not really as a departure but as an entrance into a new beginning in life. This is clearly illustrated in the liturgical life of the Church. Next Sunday, with the celebration of the Solemnity of Christ the King, we will end the liturgical calendar. But by the following Sunday, we begin a new one, with the start of the Advent Season. In Theology, the word used for the Second Coming of the Lord is “Parousia”. This is a Greek word describing the triumphant entry of the emperor into a city or territory. After driving away the enemies, the emperor takes possession of the territory and is regarded as savior of the people. It, therefore, becomes an occasion for festive celebrations and it marks the beginning of a new calendar. The Second Coming of Christ, his Parousia, therefore, is the occasion for great celebration that we must look forward to with eager and joyful hope. He will raise up our mortal bodies from the dead, and reunite these glorified bodies with the souls. Such an event will be the beginning of a new calendar to mark the start of a new and perfect life in the presence of God. (cf., Fr. Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, V, 481). Here is what the Church said in the Second Vatican Council: “We do not know the time for the consummation of the earth and of humanity. Nor do we know how all things will be transformed. As deformed by sin, the shape of this world will pass away. But we are taught that God is preparing a new dwelling place and a new earth where justice will abide and whose blessedness will answer and surpass all the longings for peace that spring up in the human heart. … The expectation of a new earth must not weaken but rather stimulate our concern for cultivating this one. For here grows the body of a new family, a body which even now is able to give some kind of foreshadowing of the new age” (Gaudium et Spes, 39). The Church, therefore, teaches that while we have to prepare for death, we must all the more prepare for life. Realizing the brevity of our life and the temporariness of this world and everything in it, we should all the more strive to make the best of this life. That is why St. Paul reminds the Thessalonians: “We instructed you that if anyone was unwilling to work, neither should that one eat.” Those who think about heaven and eternal life are often the ones who render exemplary service to their fellowmen here on earth. This we see in the lives of the saints. For instance, St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, the first American saint, whose feast we celebrated on November 13. She and her congregation of religious sisters built the most effective hospitals, schools, orphanages and homes for the outcasts in the US and all over the world. This apostolic zeal and spirit of loving service are evident in the lives of all the saints whose minds and hearts are filled with a deep longing for heaven. Indeed, looking forward to the Second Coming of Christ, looking up to heaven, should not make us idle spectators or nervous fanatics, but must inspire and empower us to better this world, as we pray and work for the coming of God’s kingdom on earth. Fr. Mike Lagrimas Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Palmera Springs 3, Susano Road Camarin, Novaliches, Caloocan City 1422
Posted on: Sun, 17 Nov 2013 03:42:51 +0000