33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time 2021 - The end times

 We’ve come to the end times. The end of the calendar year isn’t too far away, and the end of the liturgical year has just two weeks left. As things are winding down our scripture readings return, as they do at this time every year, to the last things, the end times—death, judgment, heaven, hell, and eternity.

Our Lord’s teaching  on the end times in today’s Gospel passage, takes place during the last week of his life—holy week. He had entered Jerusalem for the last time on Palm Sunday, he went to the temple and taught there for the last time. And, after a busy day of teaching, contending with the Pharisees and Sadducees in the Temple, Jesus and his Apostles go to rest on the Mount of Olives across the Kidron Valley from Jerusalem.  

Fitting how, as his own earthly mission is drawing to a close—the end and culmination of his earthly mission—the Lord speaks about the end times. And as we just heard, the Lord describes some pretty frightening imagery: “the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.”

This sort of language and imagery is nothing new in scripture. The Old Testament prophets use this sort of language quite often: how there are going to be some pretty traumatic cosmic events prior to the ushering in of God’s kingdom. Isaiah prophesies about the darkening of the sun and the stars, the earth trembling, green grass withering, and waters turning to blood. The prophet Joel speaks of the blood and smoke and fire that will signal the great and awesome day of tribulation. Zephaniah describes  wrath, trouble, distress, destruction, desolation, darkness, clouds and gloom. Jeremiah speaks of all of creation sort of unravelling preceding God’s great day. Daniel, as we heard in the first reading, takes up this language as well.

So, the Lord draws on the apocalyptic language of the prophets of old, to reaffirm that these cosmic events will proceed the end of the age. But this age ends, so that it might give way to a new one that will last forever. For he adds, “when you see these things happening, know that the Son of Man is near, at the gates.” 

Here the Lord describes a truth that we proclaim in our Creed every week regarding the Lord’s return. The second coming. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, we proclaim. Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again. 

Great tribulations will proceed the Lord’s return. And the Catechism says, “Before Christ's second coming the Church must pass through a final trial that will shake the faith of many believers.” So the Lord offers this teaching, that we may not loose faith when the rafters of heaven shake. 

These tribulations are but the labor pains, as he says in the proceeding verses—Labor Pains of a new world, a new heaven and a new earth in which God will rule over creation in an eternal kingdom of peace.

And in a sense, every generation has to face its own tribulations, every individual in fact. There are events in our life, the death of a loved one, the loss of a job, even scandal in the church, that can shake our faith. 

In the lifetime of the apostles, they would see the Temple destroyed, Jerusalem sacked, and Christians put to death by the Roman government, each of them, would have to face serious personal trials, and so must we. 

The Catechism goes on to say that throughout her persecutions the Church will be tempted to believe the deception of the anti-Christ, that man can save himself, that we don’t need God, but that we find fulfillment when we put ourselves in the place of God. We see people in our modern culture more than ever before falling for this deception, that by sheer human will and ingenuity we can usher in our own era of peace, devoid of God. 

Every Christian generation, every individual, is to live as if the Lord’s return is imminent and to keep the faith when there are wars and earthquakes and plagues, and remain vigilant against the temptations of the anti-Christ.

 “Be watchful, you do not know the day or the hour, be prepared, it can come when you least expect it.”

Will the Lord return in our own lifetime? Perhaps. Nonetheless, we will all have to appear before him as judge at the end of our life, which might also come when we least expect it. So, we must be prepared, by repenting of and confessing our sins, receiving the flesh and blood of Christ as often as we can, and living lives of righteousness, as best we can.

To be watchful means three things:

First, it means making our personal relationship with God our highest priority through daily prayer, ongoing study of our faith, and frequent reception of the sacraments.

Second, it means sharing with others the news that Jesus has shared with us. If this Gospel teaches us anything it is that time is short. And we must make use of the time we’ve been given to bring souls to Christ. We are here today because someone cared for our souls and the souls of our family members who passed the faith on to us, and we must do the same.

Lastly, we must follow the Lord’s example in our daily lives. Jesus was honest, courageous, gentle, patient, forgiving, humble, pure, and faithful. And every single day, in all of our relationships with family, friends, and strangers, we are to imitate his goodness.

As we continue with this Mass, let’s thank our Lord for the time we’ve been given to fulfill our mandate and mission—to live with the end in mind by living wisely in the present for the glory of God and salvation of souls. 

1st Week of Advent 2019 - Wednesday - Fulfillment of Prophecy Past Present and Future

Yesterday, we heard Isaiah’s prophecy of the heir of the Davidic King who will usher in an era of lasting peace. And then in the Gospel, Jesus explained how he was that heir, how the prophets and kings of old longed to see what he was now accomplishing. So, we had a prophecy from Isaiah, and then Jesus explained how he was the fulfillment of that prophecy.

Today, our readings follow the same pattern. In Isaiah we hear of the promises of a mountain upon which God will provide for all peoples, a feast of rich food and choice wines, that on this mountain he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, he will destroy death, he will wipe away tears, on that day we will behold our God.

And then in the Gospel, Jesus is fulfilling those promises: Jesus atop a mountain miraculously cures the mute, the lame, the blind, the deformed, and then he feeds this great multitude, miraculously multiplying seven loaves of bread and a few fish, and has an abundance of food left over.

Jesus continues to fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah during this age of the Church: in the Sacraments the sick come to him for healing in the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, those spiritually sick and even dead in sin, come to him for healing and new life in the Sacrament of Confession, and he feeds us with supersubstantial food, his body and blood in the Eucharist.

And Our Lord heals the sick and feeds the hungry through the charitable work of Church. Hospitals were invented by Christians seeking to be the healing hands of Christ in the world. And the Church continues to be the greatest of charitable institutions in feeding the starving and clothing the naked of the world.

And yet, these readings still point to the future, to the second Advent and coming of Christ at the end of the age, when we will eat and drink at the eternal banquet feast of heaven and be clothed with glory forever, where there will be no more death or disease, and every tear will be wiped away forever.

Advent certainly helps us appreciate the ways in which the prophecies of old were fulfilled in the earthly ministry of Jesus 2000 years ago, how they are fulfilled now in the present, and how they will be fulfilled in eternity. So what needs to change in us, that we may be more perceptive of God at work in our midst, and more participative in God’s work now, and what needs to change that I may ready myself for the ultimate fulfillment of these promises in eternity?

May the light and life of Christ’s Advent shine in us today and forever for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
 
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We raise up our prayers of petitions, as we await with longing the Advent of Christ the Lord.
That through the witness of the Christian Church, Our Lord will bring hope to the hopeless and joy to the joyless.
That world leaders may look upon the Son of God, believe in him, and seek the peace and justice that only he can bring.
That Christ may heal every disease, drive out hunger, feed every authentic hunger, ward off every affliction, and bring peace to the suffering.
For the deceased of our parish, family and friends, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.
Almighty ever-living God, who bring salvation to all and desire that no one should perish, hear the prayers of your people and grant that the course of our world may be directed by your peaceful rule and your Church rejoice in tranquility and devotion. Through Christ our Lord.

1st Week of Advent 2019 - Monday - The Messiah in God's Plan of Salvation

Throughout the season of Advent we will read extensively from the book of the prophet Isaiah.  Isaiah speaks about many of the same themes as Jesus: the need for repentance, salvation, mercy, judgment, justice, and the need for faith. Most important for the season of Advent though are Isaiah’s prophecies of the Messiah and how he will usher in the eternal reign of God.

Yet today, Isaiah’s passage isn’t so much about the birth of a child to a virgin-maiden, but of the work of the Messiah to usher in the eternal kingdom of peace. The Messiah will come with a “blast of searing judgment” upon the wicked, Isaiah says today. Zion, the assembly of God’s holy ones will be purged of defilement. And the Lord will grant shelter and protection to the holy ones. Isaiah’s vision here is certainly consistent with John’s vision in the book of Revelation.

These early Advent days urge us to reflect not so much on the first coming of Christ, at Bethlehem but the second coming at the end of time; not so much the first Advent, but the second. But this is to help us keep in mind who the Christ-Child is, what he comes to do, how he fits into and fulfills the eternal plan of God, and the consequences for not believing in Him and following Him. How he fulfills our deepest longings.

For each of the readings speak of restoration, healing, shelter, peace. The longing to be safe and secure from our enemies, is one of our deepest human needs. This promise of be gathered within the secure walls of our Father’s house, recalls the safe walls of the garden Paradise from which we were expelled, but to which we will are joyfully readmitted through Christ.

The healing of the dreadfully suffering paralyzed man in the Gospel, too, speaks of  the ultimate healing and restoration that comes through Christ for those who believe in Him.

We pray during this Advent season that we will come to recognize Jesus as Messiah in a deeper way, that we will allow him to cure our paralyses, and bring conversion to those parts of us which are set in opposition to God, free us from our captivities, wash away our filth, and strengthen our communion with God and the Church. 

We pray too that we may be God’s instruments in the world this Advent, that we can bring others to recognize Jesus as savior, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
 
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As we await with longing the Advent of our Lord Jesus Christ, we raise up our prayers of petitions.

That Christ may visit his holy Church and always find her watchful in prayer.

That Christ may fill the Pope, our Bishop, and all the clergy with spiritual gifts and graces and For Pope Francis’ prayer intention for the month of December, “That every country take the measures necessary to prioritize the future of the very young, especially those who are suffering.”

That Christ may guide the minds of those who govern us to promote the common good according to His Holy Will.

That Christ may banish disease, drive out hunger, and ward off every affliction.

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

Almighty ever-living God, who bring salvation to all and desire that no one should perish, hear the prayers of your people and grant that the course of our world may be directed by your peaceful rule and your Church rejoice in tranquility and devotion. Through Christ our Lord.

Thursday - 21st Week of OT 2017 - Christian Vigilance

Jesus speaks with serious urgency in the Gospel about the need to remain vigilant. “Stay awake”, “keep alert”, “remain vigilant”, for the thief comes when you least expect Him. Preparedness, readiness, vigilance, these are virtues that become more and more prevalent towards the end of the liturgical year, when many of the Scripture readings speak of the second coming of Christ and the final judgment. And yet, Christian vigilance is an important virtue for the whole year, and the whole of life.

Scripture speaks often about vigilance. St. Peter tells us to be “sober and alert, for our adversary the devil, prowls like a lion, seeking souls to devour”. Proverbs tells us to watch over our hearts diligently, St. Paul writes to the Colossians to “keep alert in an attitude of thanksgiving” by devoting ourselves to prayer, and to the Corinthians he writes to “Be on alert, stand firm in the faith.”
Vigilance, preparedness, watchfulness, readiness are important: they keep us rooted in reality, they keep us humble, they keep us reliant on the grace of God.

We are to be vigilant against sin. As St. Peter says, the devil is always lurking, always prowling. He attacks us at our weakest points, and often comes as an angel of light, making sin look good, and goodness look too hard. Temptation can come in many forms, and we need to be always ready to resist, by strengthening our wills through penance and mortification. “Keep watch and pray”, the Lord says, “that you may not enter into temptation.”

We are to be vigilant in prayer. Prayer should be as second nature to Christians as breathing. Always ready to thank God, always ready to seek God’s help in times of need, always ready to praise God for his mighty works. We also need to be vigilant while we prayer. We know how easy it is to be distracted in prayer. So we ask the Holy Spirit to help us pray, for we do not know how to pray as we ought.

We need to be vigilant for the coming of the Lord and our final judgment, by confessing our sins in the Sacrament of Confession.

And we need to be vigilant for the inspirations of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. The Lord wishes to use us for his Holy Will, and we need to remain ready to be used by Him, led and guided by Him. Many Christians are not ready, they are not prepared, they are not vigilant. The Lord wishes to use us to wake them up!

May the Holy Spirit, through the grace of the Eucharist we celebrate today, help us to remain vigilant against all sin, alert in prayer, and prepared to serve the Lord through works of mercy, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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For Bishop Nelson Perez, in these final days of preparation for his installation as Bishop of Cleveland. We pray to the Lord.

That our elected representatives and all civil servants may respond faithfully to the greatest needs of our nation. We pray to the Lord.

For Pope Francis’ prayer intention for the month of August: “That artists of our time, through their ingenuity, may help everyone discover the beauty of creation.” We pray to the Lord.

For the sick and afflicted, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, for victims of natural disaster and inclement weather, especially the people of Houston Texas, those who suffer from war, violence, and terrorism, for the mentally ill, those with addictions, and the imprisoned, for those who struggle to live the call of Christian chastity, for the comfort of the dying and the consolation of their families.

For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased priests and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom. We pray.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord.