November 14th - 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

(Dn 12:1-3; Heb 10:11-14, 18; Mk 13:24-32)

The prophesy of the end times in today's reading from Daniel is not so much a guide of what is to happen and when, but rather it is a hopeful message for loyal Christians who are experiencing tribulation right now. It is comforting because it reminds us that tribulation is to be expected. The Lord does not remove all distress from our lives. But He does accompany us on our journey through that tribulation and give us the strength and supernatural help to endure. It is up to us to respond to that help and actively accept it, for even with the Lord's help, “some shall live forever, others shall be an everlasting horror and disgrace.” The Lord's help in overcoming adversity is also referenced in today's reading from Paul's letter to the Hebrews: “For by one offering he has made perfect forever those who are being consecrated.” If we are freed from sin, we can endure anything this world puts in our way. This suggests that the real tribulation and distress that should concern us is not covid-19 or economic insecurity or anything like that. It is sin that is our greatest threat and the thing that the Lord is most interested in helping us to overcome. The Gospel reading from Mark gives us confidence in the Lord's ultimate triumph over evil at the end – a triumph in which we are invited to share along with him.

• What do you think Jesus means when he says, “...this generation will not pass away until all these things take place?”
• How imminent do the end times feel to you? Do you feel the need to prepare for them personally?
• How do you rank the types of adversities in your life? Have you ever reconsidered that ranking in light of the Gospel?