The Readings: 1st Reading; Daniel 12: 1 – 3.
Responsorial Psalm; Ps.15 : 5, 8 – 11.
2nd Reading; Hebrews 10 : 11 – 14. 18.
Gospel; Mark 13 : 24 – 32.

The three short verses of the first reading are better understood if the preceding chapter is read. There is a war between kings battling for power, dominion and supremacy. These three verses say what will happen at the end of time. There will be no wars. Instead there will be hope, redemption and resurrection. Those who teach justice and reverence will rise because their names will be in the ‘Book of life’. Those who live only for power, domination and supremacy will arise to shame and disgrace.

In the Gospel, Jesus clarifies what the Prophet Daniel says in the first reading. When Jesus, the Son of Man and the Prince of Justice comes back, all powers will be shaken. Dominion will belong to God and His Angels while shame and disgrace will be the reward for those who do not search God in this present life. The old order will give way to the new and orderliness and holiness will reign. For us to be part of this happy and glorious ending, we are invited to take Jesus as our norm, the model and the only way through which we can know the signs of the end-times. Jesus, as the second reading says, is the only person who will conquer all His enemies and turn them into a footstool through His single sacrifice.

However, Jesus says we will never be able to read the signs of the times when the end is near. We can read and predict other times, but this, only His Father knows. I suppose we know when the famous Berlin wall came down. There was a lot of celebration and a lot of people wrote about it and said the cold war had ended and borders began to open. I can imagine when the wall was being built, without celebration. Just fear and tension on both sides as a tiny line showed where the wall was to pass with U.S. and Russia soldiers on each side. The collapse of the wall was predicted and celebration was great. We have experienced situations of very rare unprecedented happenings that make us think that the signs of the end times are around. Still after, things get normal again or get along in a new way.

We have heard of religious leaders who predict the end of times. A few years ago, in one of our kingdoms, a Christian religious leader predicted a day as the end of the world. He took with him all his wives and they headed for the crest of a nearby hill where they hoped to meet God and be saved. He announced that whoever did not follow them would perish. The day came and passed and nothing happened and since then, he regained his daily life among the same people who did not follow him and his wives up the hill. We hear in today’s Gospel that no one knows the end of time, not the prophets, not the angels, not the Son, just the Father alone.

Parousia or end-times which Jesus talks about can not be predicted. The impact of Jesus’ message will come with great celebration and borders will open up the same time. These borders, He Jesus, had started opening up during His life with us on earth here when He went against the Jewish tradition; coming in contact with the woman with the issue of blood, curing a Centurion’s child, touching lepers, eating with tax collectors and prostitutes, etc. Parousia announces the absence of all borders but for the separation of those who live according to God’s ways from those who do not.

Do you live with trust in Jesus? Will He vindicate you when the time comes? He promised He will come again in His glory, but He comes to us each day and speaks to our hearts like a lover whispers in the ear of the beloved. His words remain with us just as He said they would.

‘What good will it do you to gain the whole world and lose your soul?’ ‘Love your enemies; pray for those who persecute you’. ‘The greatest among you is the one who serves’. Seek first the Kingdom of God, then those other things that you fret about will be given to you’. These and many others are the whispers Jesus has let into our ears and hearts in these past days.

These are the identity and mission of every Christian. An identity and a mission that can be way-laid in a rapidly changing world. Despite all the many challenges and difficulties, the Christian life is suppose to be rich of God’s grace and the love of neighbour. This can be hard but we can do it, through our daily interactions. We can lead others to God through our little actions. Actions that reach out and touch the faithless around us. These are the actions which Jesus continuously calls us to.

A Little Prayer.

Lord Jesus, you are the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. Give me joy and hope to adhere to your words which challenge, inspire, guide and comfort me. May Your words that turn my values upside down touch my heart. Let me never forget them but anchor my life to them because all else will pass away but your saving word. Amen.

Have Blessed Week!
Bobe Talla Toh.