Oct
29

(33rd Sunday OT B) I Have Told You This Beforehand

The Last Judgment

Next Sunday, we will be celebrating the Solemnity of Christ the King and the end of Ordinary Time, Year B. Today’s liturgical theme anticipates Advent, Year C and reminds us that the Lord will come for us and has told us how to wait for His Coming. “Be alert”, “be watchful”, “keep awake”! These are the imperatives for the last days. Like servants who have been given assignments while their master is away, so too, the Christian must continue to do his work and hope that the Lord finds him/her doing so.

Relevant Articles

Guide to the Reading of the Text

Mark 13 is Jesus’ Eschatological discourse. It is called “eschatological” because it deals mainly with the last (eschatos, adj.) days. The discourse is couched in apocalyptic language — that is, with symbols akin to that of Daniel’s and John’s visions regarding the meaning of historical events. Note that in John’s Apocalypse as well as in Daniel’s visions about the figure like the Son of Man, the whole of history is under the control of one who has been given control of it. In Daniel, it is the Son of Man-like figure; in John, it is the Lamb who is Slain, but stands. He who is Lord of History goes to battle with His elect against His Beastly enemies and defeats them roundly while all around them creation is renewed as the Lord brings the battle to its end. The conclusion is the renewal of all things and the wedding of the Lord with His Bride. J. R. R. Tolkien’s “The Return of the King” was based on the Apocalypse: here, the King who returns to claim His kingdom is the one who has been battling unrecognized with his friends. The apocalyptic language of both Daniel and John have the following characteristics that are relevant to understanding Mark 13:

(a) the coming of the Lord of History either to Judge His enemies or to gather His elect1
(b) the victory of Good over Evil (Hollywood has distorted this aspect of the Apocalypse)
(c) the renewal of all creation, with the old elements that control time and history (moon, stars, the sun) giving way
(d) the purpose of consoling and encouraging the elect, giving them knowledge beforehand so that they would keep on holding to the Lord and be at peace when everyone else is in turmoil and confusion

In the article “Be Watchful and Alert”, I have divided Mark 13 into four sections. The liturgical selection, Mark 13:24-37 fall under the third and fourth sections. To get to the context of the discourse, begin your reading at Mark 13:1 and underline the passages where you find the elements we have enumerated above: How does Jesus assure the disciples? Where does He say He is coming back and for what purpose? How does He say that inspite the confusion, God is in the background taking care that evil stays in its bounds? How does Jesus answer the question “When will all these happen”? How many times does Jesus say “Be alert” and other similar expressions throughout the discourse?

For a closer reading of the passage, make a sentence flow of Mark 13:24-37. See how Mark presents the discourse in a way that the desecration of the Temple in c. 70 AD becomes a pattern for the ultimate tribulation that Christians will undergo before the end comes. Pay attention to the parables about when all these will happen and the attitude of Christians as they wait for the end to come.

Comparing the Readings

The first reading from Danile 12:1-3 touches our belief in the resurrection of the dead. The last day is described as the deliverance of Israel under the power of Michael (the archangel) and the resurrection of the dead. There will be some raised to life eternal and others “to shame and everlasting contempt”. This picture of the last day is completed in the Gospel reading from Mark. After the turbulence of the last days when the old creation begins to pass away, the Lord will come to gather the elect. The time when all these happens is not a date on the calendar. Rather, it will be like spring when everything is renewed after the darkness and cold of winter. Jesus tells his disciples about the end before hand so that they can be prepared when it comes. The second reading from the Letter to the Hebrews puts the coming of the Lord at the end of time. He who comes to gather the chosen ones on the last day, is also the one who intercedes before the Father as High Priest on our behalf; the one who has offered the sacrifice for the forgiveness of all.

Suggestions for the Lesson

The last Sunday before the Solemnity of Christ the King anticipates the Season of Advent and presents itself as an occassion for reminding the faithful that the eschatological imperatives (Be watchful, Be alert, Keep awake) should characterize the life of Christians as they await the final revelation of Christ as the Lord of History, the Alpha and the Omega. This final revelation of Christ coincides with what Paul describes as the manifestation of the sons of God (Romans 8:19). It is also an occassion for speaking about mistaken notions about the end of time that do nothing but spread fear and confusion and frighten people into joining sects and cults that pretend to be “Christian”. One can also preach on a petition of the Our Father — Lead us not into temptation, and deliver us from Evil — and relate it to CCC 2849:

Such a battle (see the immediate context, CCC 2846 and ff.) and such a victory become possible only through prayer. It is by his prayer that Jesus vanquishes the tempter, both at the outset of his public mission and in the ultimate struggle of his agony (cf. Matthew 4:1-11; 26:36-44). In this petition to our heavenly Father, Christ unites us to his battle and his agony. He urges us to vigilance of the heart in communion with his own. Vigilance is “custody of the heart,” and Jesus prayed for us to the Father: “Keep them in your name.” (John 17:11; cf. Mark 13:9.23.33-37;14:38; Luke 12:35-40) The Holy Spirit constantly seeks to awaken us to keep watch (Cf. 1 Corinthians 16:13; Colossians 4:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:6; 1 Peter 5:8). Finally, this petition takes on all its dramatic meaning in relation to the last temptation of our earthly battle; it asks for final perseverance. “Lo, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is he who is awake.” (Revelation 16:15)

Hebrews 10:11-14
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11And every priest indeed standeth daily ministering, and often offering the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.
12But this man offering one sacrifice for sins, for ever sitteth on the right hand of God,
13From henceforth expecting, until his enemies be made his footstool.
14For by one oblation he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
Revelation 1:5-8
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5And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth, who hath loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
6And hath made us a kingdom, and priests to God and his Father, to him be glory and empire for ever and ever. Amen.
7Behold, he cometh with the clouds, and every eye shall see him, and they also that pierced him. And all the tribes of the earth shall bewail themselves because of him. Even so. Amen.
8I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, saith the Lord God, who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.
Revelation 1:7
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7Behold, he cometh with the clouds, and every eye shall see him, and they also that pierced him. And all the tribes of the earth shall bewail themselves because of him. Even so. Amen.
Mark 13:24-37
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24But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light.
25And the stars of heaven shall be falling down, and the powers that are in heaven, shall be moved.
26And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds, with great power and glory.
27And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.
28Now of the fig tree learn ye a parable. When the branch thereof is now tender, and the leaves are come forth, you know that summer is very near.
29So you also when you shall see these things come to pass, know ye that it is very nigh, even at the doors.
30Amen I say to you, that this generation shall not pass, until all these things be done.
31Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my word shall not pass away.
32But of that day or hour no man knoweth, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father.
33Take ye heed, watch and pray. For ye know not when the time is.
34Even as a man who going into a far country, left his house; and gave authority to his servants over every work, and commanded the porter to watch.
35Watch ye therefore, (for you know not when the lord of the house cometh: at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning,)
36Lest coming on a sudden, he find you sleeping.
37And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch.
Mark 13:1
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1And as he was going out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him: Master, behold what manner of stones and what buildings are here.
Mark 13:24-37
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24But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light.
25And the stars of heaven shall be falling down, and the powers that are in heaven, shall be moved.
26And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds, with great power and glory.
27And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.
28Now of the fig tree learn ye a parable. When the branch thereof is now tender, and the leaves are come forth, you know that summer is very near.
29So you also when you shall see these things come to pass, know ye that it is very nigh, even at the doors.
30Amen I say to you, that this generation shall not pass, until all these things be done.
31Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my word shall not pass away.
32But of that day or hour no man knoweth, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father.
33Take ye heed, watch and pray. For ye know not when the time is.
34Even as a man who going into a far country, left his house; and gave authority to his servants over every work, and commanded the porter to watch.
35Watch ye therefore, (for you know not when the lord of the house cometh: at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning,)
36Lest coming on a sudden, he find you sleeping.
37And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch.
Romans 8:19
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19For the expectation of the creature waiteth for the revelation of the sons of God.
Matthew 4:1-11; 26:36-44
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41Then Jesus was led by the spirit into the desert, to be tempted by the devil.
2And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterwards he was hungry.
3And the tempter coming said to him: If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
4Who answered and said: It is written, Not in bread alone doth man live, but in every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God.
5Then the devil took him up into the holy city, and set him upon the pinnacle of the temple,
6And said to him: If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down, for it is written: That he hath given his angels charge over thee, and in their hands shall they bear thee up, lest perhaps thou dash thy foot against a stone.
7Jesus said to him: It is written again: Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
8Again the devil took him up into a very high mountain, and shewed him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them,
9And said to him: All these will I give thee, if falling down thou wilt adore me.
10Then Jesus saith to him: Begone, Satan: for it is written, The Lord thy God shalt thou adore, and him only shalt thou serve.
11Then the devil left him; and behold angels came and ministered to him.
2636Then Jesus came with them into a country place which is called Gethsemani; and he said to his disciples: Sit you here, till I go yonder and pray.
37And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to grow sorrowful and to be sad.
38Then he saith to them: My soul is sorrowful even unto death: stay you here, and watch with me.
39And going a little further, he fell upon his face, praying, and saying: My Father, if it be possible, let this chalice pass from me. Nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
40And he cometh to his disciples, and findeth them asleep, and he saith to Peter: What? Could you not watch one hour with me?
41Watch ye, and pray that ye enter not into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh weak.
42Again the second time, he went and prayed, saying: My Father, if this chalice may not pass away, but I must drink it, thy will be done.
43And he cometh again and findeth them sleeping: for their eyes were heavy.
44And leaving them, he went again: and he prayed the third time, saying the selfsame word.
John 17:11
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11And now I am not in the world, and these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep them in thy name whom thou has given me; that they may be one, as we also are.
Mark 13:9
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9But look to yourselves. For they shall deliver you up to councils, and in the synagogues you shall be beaten, and you shall stand before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony unto them.
Luke 12:35-40
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35Let your loins be girt, and lamps burning in your hands.
36And you yourselves like to men who wait for their lord, when he shall return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open to him immediately.
37Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when he cometh, shall find watching. Amen I say to you, that he will gird himself, and make them sit down to meat, and passing will minister unto them.
38And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.
39But this know ye, that if the householder did know at what hour the thief would come, he would surely watch, and would not suffer his house to be broken open.
40Be you then also ready: for at what hour you think not, the Son of man will come.
1 Corinthians 16:13
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13Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, do manfully, and be strengthened.
Colossians 4:2
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2Be instant in prayer; watching in it with thanksgiving:
1 Thessalonians 5:6
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6Therefore, let us not sleep, as others do; but let us watch, and be sober.
1 Peter 5:8
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8Be sober and watch: because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, goeth about seeking whom he may devour.
Revelation 16:15
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15Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
CCC 2849
¶2849 Such a battle and such a victory become possible only through prayer. It is by his prayer that Jesus vanquishes the tempter, both at the outset of his public mission and in the ultimate struggle of his agony. In this petition to our heavenly Father, Christ unites us to his battle and his agony. He urges us to vigilance of the heart in communion with his own. Vigilance is "custody of the heart," and Jesus prayed for us to the Father: "Keep them in your name." The Holy Spirit constantly seeks to awaken us to keep watch. Finally, this petition takes on all its dramatic meaning in relation to the last temptation of our earthly battle; it asks for final perseverance. "Lo, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is he who is awake."
CCC 2846
¶2846 This petition goes to the root of the preceding one, for our sins result from our consenting to temptation; we therefore ask our Father not to "lead" us into temptation. It is difficult to translate the Greek verb used by a single English word: the Greek means both "do not allow us to enter into temptation" and "do not let us yield to temptation." "God cannot be tempted by evil and he himself tempts no one"; on the contrary, he wants to set us free from evil. We ask him not to allow us to take the way that leads to sin. We are engaged in the battle "between flesh and spirit"; this petition implores the Spirit of discernment and strength.

  1. See the article on Revelation 1:5-8 here. The relevant material is found under the explanations on Revelation 1:7.↩

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