33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year B

DOCTRINE AND FAITH

(Daniel 12, 1-3; Hebrews 10, 11-14.18; Mark 13, 24-32; 33^rd Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year B)

The first and gospel readings are couched in apocalyptic style of writing. Apocalyptic writings transmit their teachings through images. So caution must be exercised, so as not to read them as historical events. They were written mostly in difficult historical periods and times of persecution and oppression. People, then longed and hoped for the end of such difficult times. Then, using mysterious languages that only the addressees could understand the apocalyptic authors announced messages of hope. They often indicate the end of injustice and persecution that would give room to the reign of God. The first reading is from the book of Daniel which was written during the difficult time of the Antiochus Epiphanies who wanted to wipe out all semblances of religion in Israel. He desecrated the temple of Jerusalem and was persecuting and killing all those who opposed his reforms. During this time many Jews abandoned their faith. The reading described this period as time of great distress, unparalleled in history. The author of this book looked ahead and saw salvation in the person of the great Michael who would come to defend the holy people, thereby bringing salvation to all those people whose names were written in the book. This reading goes on to consider the fate of those who had been killed for refusing to betray their faith. It holds that all the just who were sleeping in the dust will awaken to share the joy of the kingdom of God and all those who defend justice and instruct others shall rise as brightly as the heavens. Here we note the first assertion of the resurrection in the Bible. This message of hope for the persecuted Jews in Antiochus Epiphanies’ time, when properly read, speaks to us today, the evil of wickedness, violence, corruption, killings, bombings that thrive among us. We tend to despair in apparent hopelessness especially when we do not envisage its coming to an end. The first reading consoles us by implying that no bit of our sufferings, pains, labour will be lost. It goes on to indicate that faithfulness to our relationship of faith and love with God will hasten up the coming of a new world in which we shall be sharing in the joy of the kingdom of God as the end of this life is not definitive for there is the resurrection. 

    Jesus in the gospel utilizes the apocalyptic style of writing: In those days, after the time of distress the sun will be darkened, the moon will lose its brightness, the stars will come falling from heaven and the powers in the heaven will be shaken. Jesus used these images to describe the final events at the end of time after which He as the Son of man will manifest Himself. He will send his angels throughout the world to gather all his chosen ones together. When will Christ manifest himself? The time is hidden. No one knows. Jesus disciple’s attitude should be that of vigilance for he does not know when Christ would be coming back. The vigilance should be a dedicated one by which we strengthen our relationship with the blessed Trinity and our dedication to works of charity towards our needy neighbour. This discourse should make us live our Christian lives in fullness, as the chosen ones of God, without fear that we shall be separated from His care and love no matter the difficulties we find ourselves. It should help us live our lives, dedicated to charitable works.

    However in order to live a truly fulfilled Christian life in vigilance and charity, we must associate ourselves with the efficacious sacrifice which Jesus Christ offered once and for all for the remission of sins. By virtue of this one offering, Christ has advanced the eternal perfection of all whom he is sanctifying. At our baptism, Christ’s sacrifice gives us the necessary perfection by which we are in relationship with God. Therefore, in our lives we should try to grow in this life of perfection, a growth that is made possible through the worthy reception of the Sacraments especially the Eucharist. United, thus, with Christ we will be able to live calmly and in full confidence in God’s help and salvation in the face of any difficulty. We shall also be equipped to change the difficult situations around us by our involvement in the society. + John I. Okoye.