Homily (Reflection) for the Thirty-Third
Sunday of the Year (B) (18th November, 2018) on the Gospel
Dan 12:1-3;
Ps 15:
5.8-11 (R.V. 1);Heb 10:11-14.18;
Mk 13:24-32.
One of the
things most feared by people especially among political office holders is losing
their positions. Many are ready for anything no matter how devilish just to
ensure their continued stay in those positions. Yet no matter how much one
fears and/or whatever one does, one must leave his or her position one day –
alive or dead. The topic we are reflecting on today may not be pleasant to many
because of fear. I therefore plead for your indulgence because it is a sine qua
non irrespective of how careful or careless one might be.
Topic: Life ticks away.
As the liturgical year comes to an
end, the mother Church through the readings wants us to be mindful of the
awaiting exit. But just like those in various positions of authority, the
greatest fear for many is this exit from this life. Many do not even want to
remember that a time will come when this life will be transformed either to
life or to death, cf. Dan 12:2. If
you take time to look around you will see that many people of different classes
and age brackets are now just part of the history. Unfortunately, even the
history is very fast forgetting them. And all of us who are still here are relentlessly
on the same road and have no advantage over those who have gone before us, cf. 1Thess 4:15. Hence the Psalmist rightly
writes: “Man is like a breath, his days are like a passing shadow” (Ps 144:4).
In today’s gospel we read:
“But in those days, after that
suffering, 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” (Mk 13:24-25).
Most often this passage is seen to be referring just to the
end of the world. But I see this referring to the exit of each of us from this
world. Nowadays burial brochures have been turned into photo albums. I have
during my spare time gone through many with particular reference to those who
were up to seventy years and above. One thing that strikes me is that even those
who were very beautiful/handsome when much younger could not be recognised in
their old age.
When everything both the things we boast of and those we hate
with passion in this world have passed, the Son of Man will “gather his elect
from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven” (Mk 13:27). Unfortunately, we cannot
answer questions about when, where, and how, cf. Mk 13:32. The most important thing is to be prepared so as not to
be caught unawares, (cf. Lk 12:40; 1Thess 5:1-2) by doing what one suppose
to all the time like Saint Aloysius Gonzaga. He “was playing a game of chess
one day when he was asked what he would do if he knew he would die within the
hour. He replied, ‘I would keep on playing chess’” (Culled from Sagayanathan, A.
(2009). Launching Pad: Stories for Sunday Homilies, year A,B,&C. Bangalore:
Asian Trading Corporation, p. 233).
There is also a story of St. Francis Borgia. He “was of
Spanish nobility and deeply devoted to his queen – Queen Isabella. Upon her
death it fell to the lot of Francis to open her casket as part of her burial
ceremony.
“What he saw was a foul and disgusting corpse. ‘What!’ he
exclaimed, ‘Is this all that remains of my gracious sovereign?’” (Sagayanathan,
A. (2009). Launching Pad: Stories for Sunday Homilies, year A,B,&C. p.
232). Remember David’s exclamation: “Who is this that looks forth like the
dawn, fair as the moon, bright as the sun, terrible as an army with banners?” (Song 6:10).
In as much as I do not want to instil unnecessary fear into
anybody, I want to remind each and every one of us that we shall all leave this
world with nothing not even our bodies we care so much for, cf. 1Tim 6:7. The only consoling thing is
that worthy life merits the fullness of life in the world to come. But the big
question is ‘who and who will make the list?’ cf. Rev 13:8; 20:15. So dearest in the Lord, always be prepared for that
journey. We are just on transit in this world. We all must surely cross the
Rubicon; the point of no return. I wish all of us safe journey to our promise
land.
Bible Reading: Lk 12:35-40; Matt 25:31-46; 1Thess 4:13-5:11; 1Tim
6:3-10.
Thought for today: How prepared are you for the journey?
Let
us pray: God, help
us live our lives as we ought so that whenever, wherever, and however it
pleases you we may be found less unworthy for you – Amen.
You are
free to share this reflection with others if you consider it worthy.
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