Sunday Gospel Reflection
33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Mark 13:24-32 | Nov. 14, 2021
The Coming of the Son of Man
Josie Gonzalez
“…The sun will grow dark; the moon will no longer shine. The stars will fall from the sky and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. The Son of Man will appear, coming in the clouds with great power and glory. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. No one knows the day or the hour…only the Father knows.”
The coming of the Son of Man is a cosmic explosion, literally and figuratively. Darkened skies with no sun and moon, stars falling from the sky, and the Son of Man appearing in the clouds with great glory and power.
It is judgment day, known only to our Creator, the Almighty Father. Not even the Son of Man, Christ Jesus, knows the day or hour of final judgment. One will be picked, the other, not. One will be saved and enjoy God’s heavenly kingdom, the other, thrown in eternal damnation.
Eto ang scenario pagdating ng Panginoon para husgahan ang sangkatauhan. Nakahanda ba tayo sa final judgment tulad ng ‘5 wise virgins’ sa kuwento ni Hesus sa Parable of the Ten Virgins? Or kasama ba tayo sa limang foolish virgins?
Paano ba natin isinasabuhay ang mga aral ng Diyos? The Good News? His parables and stories all told in the Bible? Unang una, binabasa ba natin ang Bibliya?
Natatandaan ba natin ang paalala ni St. John the Baptist na paghandaan ang pagdating ng Diyos Anak and to “make straight the path of the Lord”? Ang mga aral tungkol sa ‘sowing and reaping’ na paulit-ulit makikita sa Bibliya?
Are we spiritually in tune with God or are we spiritually blind? Saan tayo nakatuon? Sa parating na national elections lang ba? Or pati sa ating salvation? Madalas natutukso tayo sa ‘tsismis’ at fake news instead of focusing on the “Good News of Salvation”. Let’s think about this.
When Jesus went through his passion and death and resurrected on the third day, it was to save us from sin. But we cannot just sit and do nothing believing that redemption is finished. Faith without action is empty. It entails a lot more work if our sole purpose in life is to serve God with all our mind, heart, soul, and spirit. Mahirap bang gawin ito? Or magtitiwala na lang ba tayo na bahala si Lord? That’s it?
Ngayong pandemic, kung saan ay maraming naapektuhan healthwise, financially, and in many other ways, paano ba tayo naglingkod sa Diyos? With stay home restrictions, did we pray more and hear Mass more on tv and on other platforms? Mas naging generous ba tayo sa pagbibigay ng tulong—pinansyal man o material—sa homeless? Sa delivery riders? Sa mga nawalan ng trabaho? Sa COVID wards ng mga ospital?
Pope Francis said, “life is an incredible show.” Pandemic or no pandemic, let’s call friends and relatives with happy thoughts, thank people who have helped us with tokens of appreciation, comfort the sick, say ‘I’m sorry’ to those we have hurt, and love unconditionally. Truly, this is seeing Jesus in others and is surely worth rewarding in His kingdom
The coming of the Son of Man is telling us we have to be ready 24/7. If we aspire only for what is eternal and forget the ways of the world of materialism, selfishness, greed, corruption, hurting people, judgment will be our way to heavenly glory. We must constantly remind ourselves that judgment is coming and is very real, so we have to prepare while there is still time.
Yes, habang may oras pa para magsisi at humingi ng tawad sa Panginoon, para tahakin ang landas na matuwid, para itama ang pagkakamali sa buhay. Let us emulate the poor widow who gave her 2 coins worth a few cents, all that she had. This is the true meaning of faith, of love, of praise and thanksgiving for the greater glory of God
I end by saying, let’s have a ‘sacred space ‘ where we can quiet ourselves, find peace, close our eyes, slow down, rest with Jesus and feel His presence, vacation from this overly dynamic toxic life so we can hear Him call us, “come to Me, all of you who are tired and heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.”
The Kingdom of God is within us! A blessed Sunday to all!
——————–
Artwork: The Last Judgment (Het laatste oordeel) by Aert Pietersz [1611]
