The Kingdom of God is near
at Hand
Dan
12:1-3; Heb 10:11-14,18; Mk 13:24-32 (B
33)
“Victory
to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (Divine Office)
This Sunday is the second
to last Sunday of our liturgical year. The Gospel invites us to consider Jesus’
predictions about the end of the world. Before we consider today’s Gospel
reading, it is important to note the political backdrop when it was written.
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 Roman government during the
reign of the emperor Nero (c 64 A.D.). Jewish revolutionaries like Barabbas
rebelled against the Romans, which led the Romans to destroy the Jerusalem Temple
in 70 A.D. In this time of political turmoil and persecution, the believers thought
if the end times predicted by Jesus were in fact quite near.
If we
had been paying attention to Mark’s Gospel continuously, we would have heard the
predictions of Jesus like the destruction of the Temple, the costs of
discipleship, and the woes that will accompany the end times. Finally, we would
have heard Jesus instructing his disciples about the need for watchfulness for
the final day of judgment. Jesus’ first coming was a rescue mission - to free humanity
from its slavery to sin. His second coming will be the final completion of his
mission “making all things new” - a new heaven and a new earth. He destroys
death and restores our lowly bodies to immortality (Dan 12:2-3).
The
image of a “Son of man coming with the clouds of heaven” seen in today’s
Gospel, is taken from the vision of the prophet Daniel (Dan 7:13-14). Daniel’s
vision speaks of Jesus royal power and authority to rule over “all peoples,
nations, and languages” (Dan 7:14). The
prophet Joel mentions that the fruit-bearing of fig tree is a sign of favor
from the Lord (Joel 2:22). It foretells the joy of new life and the promise of
a new age of peace and blessing in God’s kingdom. Just as the signs of first
fruits of fig tree so also the “budding” of God’s kingdom begins first in the
hearts of those who receive God’s word. Those who trust in God’s word will bear
the fruits of his kingdom. We do not know the day or hour when the Lord will return
in glory! But now in this present age we experience the abundance of new life
in the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, and giving us - love, peace, joy,
patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Gal
5:22-23; Rom 14:17).
Jesus
also teaches, however, that no one knows when the end time will come, except
the Father. So, he continues to warn us to be on watch for this end time. Jesus’
words are not spoken to frighten us. Rather, they are offered to prepare us for
the end times, for the day of “tribulation” and “shaking” when he will appear “coming
in clouds with great power and glory” (Mk 13:25-26). Our consolation and hope
are found in the lasting words of Jesus and God’s never-ending love for us.
“They will see the Son of Man coming on
the clouds of heaven with great power and glory” (Divine Office)
No comments:
Post a Comment