Thirty Third Sunday of the Year: B: November 14, 2021

 THE END TIMES: THE BEGINNING OF A NEW WORLD ORDER

First Reading : Daniel 12: 1-3

Second Reading: Hebrews 10: 11-14 and 18

Gospel Reading: Mark 13: 24-32

   * First reading is from the book of Prophet Daniel. A detailed description of the various revelations of Daniel regarding the end of times (end of the world) are given. It foretells about the great upheavals and disasters which will happen at the end. But these signs will be followed by a new and everlasting existence. Thus the passage points to a belief in the resurrection of the dead and  the life thereafter. 

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Hebrews. The priests of the old Testament offered sacrifices which could not take away sins. On the other hand, the supreme sacrifice offered by Christ is superior to all the other sacrifices performed in the old Testament. Because Christ through a single sacrifice has taken away all our sins. 

The final days to come                                                             Today's Gospel reading is from St. Mark. Some signs and indications regarding the end of the present world are narrated. Jesus speaks of a time of destruction, terror, troubles and persecutions. People will be betrayed and handed over to authorities. There will be wars, earthquakes and famines. There will be cosmic upheavals too. The sun, the moon and the stars will lose their normal courses and appearances. After those series of disasters finally there will be good news. Jesus looks beyond the time of distresses to a final time when the Son of Man will gather the elect. He sees beyond the sufferings and persecutions to a future of peace with God. To explain His future vision, Jesus uses the imagery of the fig tree which sheds its leaves annually. At that time its stark spiky twigs make it look  dead until the life comes in autumn. Jesus uses this imagery to explain the new life that will be manifested when He comes in glory. We need to have deep faith and courage to face times of distress, sufferings and pain and to look forward to a new life in the Lord. These are the signs given by Jesus to indicate the end of the world as given in St. Mathew's Gospel: 1. False prophets: Matthew 24:5   2) Wars: Matthew 24: 7   3)Famines: Matthew 24:7  4) Earthquakes: Matthew 24:7   5) Tribulations: Matthew 24: 8-9   6) Gospel being preached throughout the world: Matthew 24:14