End Times
Scripture Reflection for the Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (November 15, 2015)
Scripture Readings:
First Reading: Daniel 12:1-3
Responsorial Psalm 16:5,8-11
Second Reading: Hebrews 10:11-14,18
Gospel: Mark 13: 24-32
Almost all cultures and religions address questions of the origins and ends of individuals, societies, and creation as a whole. At the end of the liturgical year, our readings focus on the end times. The first reading from Daniel describes that event with archangel Michael overseeing the judgment whereby some will move into everlasting life while others into everlasting disgrace (Dan 12:2). Two groups are given special attention-"the wise will shine brightly...and those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars forever" (Dan 12:3).
The gospel is from Mark 13, which is called the "Little Apocalypse" in contrast to the "Big Apocalypse" of the book of Revelation. The verses in this Sunday's reading describes the eschatological events with the coming of the Son of Man, whom Mark identifies as Jesus (2:10; 8:31; 9:31; 10:33, etc.). An underlying concern of this apocalyptic theme and imagery is the battle or struggle between good and evil. Within this context, only God the Father knows the time of the final judgment, so people should not attempt to predict it. Secondly, the struggle against evil is a spiritual one that depends upon growth through God's Spirit. Thirdly, we can face this future with confidence and hope, because even though heaven and earth will pass away, the words of Christ will not pass away (Mk 13:31).
We already experience the reality of the "end time" in deeply personal ways when someone dear to us dies, when we face a serious illness, accident, or crisis, or when our community or nation suffers a major natural or social disaster. A single parent loses his/her teen-age child in a car accident; a Vietnamese-American woman leaves her home behind to escape the ravages of Katrina; a person is diagnosed with inoperable cancer; Middle Eastern refugees seek refuge in Europe; a young couple suffers their third miscarriage. Such events often provoke moments for "asking the big questions," which can also surface when contemplating the eschatological end of the world or life as we know it. These extremely painful experiences are often key crossroad markers in life. People can enter and remain in "a time unsurpassed in distress" (Dan 12:1), or they can in time pass through these moments of intense vulnerability to adjust or re-orient their direction of life in order to more fully embrace God's invitation to everlasting life. In other words, these are opportunities to reflect upon where we come from and where are we going-origins and ends on a personal and communal level.
The apocalyptic themes at the end of the liturgical year are moments to take stock of where we stand before God and one another-reexamining our life priorities and recognizing the opportunity for change, and remembering and being encouraged by the fact that, through Christ, good has overcome evil and everything is ultimately in God's hands.
[Some material drawn from: Laurie Brink and Frederick Bauerschmidt, Living the Word Year B, 210-211.]
© Copyright 2015 Catholic Theological Union. All Rights Reserved
Image: Spitzer-Hubble-Chandra Composite of M101. www.hubblesite.org. Public Domain.
Fr. Roger Schroeder was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Society of the Divine Word (S.V.D.) after which he worked as a missionary for six years in Papua New Guinea. Upon earning a Doctorate in Missiology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, Schroeder began teaching at Catholic Theological Union. He has been at CTU since 1990. He is currently the Professor of Intercultural Studies and Ministry and the Louis J. Luzbetak, S.V.D., Professor of Mission and Culture at Catholic Theological Union.
