MY daily reflection and prayer:
Sunday, November 15, 2015
Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear my friends,
Here is the Gospel for us today according to St. Mark 13:24-32
Jesus says, “But 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 heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.
“From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away before all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. “But of that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.
***
IN the Gospel today, we meet Jesus Christ who invites us to recognize the signs of God’s kingdom, the signs that point to his power and action in our lives and in the world around us. Jesus Christ has come to bring us the kingdom of God and to set us free from bondage to sin, death, and destruction and from the powers of the evil one who tempts us through lies and deception. With this word he is preparing us for his return.
Jesus Christ is preparing us for his return, for the day when he will appear “coming in clouds with great power and glory” (Mark 13:25-26). What does Jesus mean when he speaks about a time of tribulation, shaking, and the “Son of man coming with great power and glory”?
The day of the Jesus’ return will be unlike any other moment in time, history, and destiny for the human race. He says that the “stars of heaven will fall and all will be shaken” before the presence of the Lord when he comes. Then we will know who is the true King and Ruler over all.
As we know and we trust, Jesus’ first coming was a rescue mission. He has come to free the human race from slavery to sin. And his second coming will be the final completion of his mission when he makes all things new. The first coming of the Jesus Christ is inseparably linked with his second coming at the end of this present age.
He will make a new heavens and a new earth after he has put down the last enemy which is death. He will restore our lowly bodies to immortality when death will be no more.
In the Perpetual Adoration of the Eucharist, we worship Jesus Christ who gives us a new hope, the joy of new life and the promise of a new age of peace and blessing. It begins first in the hearts of those who are receptive to God’s word. There we trust in God’s word which will bear the fruits of his kingdom in our daily lives.
Let’s pray: Lord Jesus Christ, enable us to love and serve others with mercy, patience, and goodness. May we know and experience in our lives the first-fruits of your kingdom. Fill us with your Holy Spirit that we may radiate the joy of your kingdom and the fire of your love to all we meet and serve now and forever. Amen.
Kredit foto: Ilustrasi (Ist)
