Thirty-third Sunday of the Year: B: November 17, 2024

 THE END OF TIMES: THE BEGINNING OF A NEW WORLD ORDER!

First Reading: Daniel 12: 1 to 3

Second: Hebrews 10: 11 to 14 and 18

Gospel Reading: Mark 13: 24 to 32 

   *First reading is from the book of Prophet Daniel. A detailed description of the various revelations of Daniel regarding the end of times - the end of the world - is given. Those signs foretell us about the great upheavals and terrible disasters which will happen at the end. The Prophet assures us that these signs point to a new and everlasting existence. Thus the visions of Prophet Daniel point to a new world order, a belief in the resurrection of the dead and the life thereafter.

   *Second reading is from the letter 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 far superior to all other sacrifices performed previously. 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 much persecutions of every type: People will be betrayed and handed over to authorities. There will be wars, earthquakes and famines. There will be numerous cosmic upheavals too. The sun, the moon and the stars will lose their normal courses and appearances. After these series of terrible destructions and disasters, finally there will be good news. Jesus looks beyond the time of distress to a  final time when the Son of Man (Christ) will gather the elect. He sees beyond the sufferings and persecutions to a  future time of peace with God. To explain His future vision, Jesus uses the imagery of a fig tree which sheds its leaves annually. At that time, its sharp and spiky twigs make it look dead until life comes in autumn. Jesus uses this imagery to explain the new life that will be manifested when He comes in His glory. When the fig tree starts to sprout its leaves, we know that something good and exciting is going to take place. We need to have deep faith and immense courage to face those times of distress, sufferings and pain and to look forward to a new life in the Lord. These are the signs mentioned by the Lord to indicate the end of the world as given in St. Matthew's Gospel: 

1. Many false prophets will come: Matthew 24: 5. 

 2. Wars: Matthew 24:7. 

3. Famines: Matthew 24:7. 

4. Earthquakes: Matthew 24:7 

5. Tribulations: Matthew 24: 8 to 9.  

6. Gospel being preached throughout the world: Matthew 24:14.  

May the Lord Jesus bless you and strengthen you in times of pain, destruction and sufferings and lead you to eternal happiness and peace with the Lord. Amen.

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