Sunday Gospel Reflection

GOD IN TIME OF DARKNESS

by Emerald John C. Paladin

November 14 2021, Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B 

1st Reading Daniel 12:1-3
Responsorial Psalm Psalms 16:5, 8, 9-10, 11
2nd Reading Hebrews 10:11-14, 18
Alleluia Luke 21:36
Gospel Mark 13:24-32

Gospel – Mark 13:24-32

Jesus said to his disciples:
24
 “In those days after that tribulation the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light,

25
 and the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.

26
 “And then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in the clouds’ with great power and glory,

27
 and then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the end of the
earth to the end of the sky.

28
 “Learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know
that summer is near.

29
 In the same way, when you see these things happening, know that he is near, at the gates.

30
 Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place.

31
 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

32
 “But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the
Father.”

A s the liturgical year draws to a close, we hear again the apocalyptic language used in Mark’s Gospel this Sunday, giving us a
glimpse of what it is like when the Son of Man returns. Walking on the streets and alleys in the Metro and riding the public
transport, we may find bible preachers using this passage to strike fear and panic to their listeners.
 In their original context, however, the evangelist Mark used these words to deliver a message of hope and encouragement to
the Christian community in Rome who struggled to believe in God’s goodness and love in the face of trials and persecutions
inflicted by the Roman Empire. For those persecuted Christians, their world was collapsing, and their faith was crumbling. They
felt that there was no hope for their future. And so, Mark sent Jesus’ message of hope to them, reminding them that despite
darkness and tribulation, their Mighty God would come to save his faithful people.
The ordeal of the Markan community in Rome is not far from what we are currently experiencing. The Covid-19 health crisis
has been overwhelming for most of us. The daily Covid tallies showing the exponential growth of cases of infection have caused
anxiety, depression, and hopelessness among people. The rising rates of unemployment, illiteracy, and corruption have added to
our grim and chaotic situation.
Given our present predicament, it may be good for us to know where the passage we are reflecting on today is found in
Mark’s Gospel. It is right before Jesus undergoes his passion and death. Jesus is on his way to Calvary. There he will enter the
darkness and chaos of human existence and plunge into suffering and betrayal by his friends, transforming it into a self-
sacrificing love for humanity. God is present amid senseless death and social injustice.
As the persecuted Christians in Rome were exhorted to remember, Jesus in the Gospel reminds us of his message of hope and
faith. God is not found in a grandiose palace distant from the sufferings of his people, but he dwells in this world of chaos and
suffering. Many people are tempted to believe that God is punishing the world for its sins and has abandoned his people. Jesus in
Mark says otherwise. Despite how things appear to be, God still reigns and has given his own Son to embrace humanity.
Let Jesus’ words this Sunday remind us not to be swallowed by sadness and despair when we face challenges and tribulations.
Let us hold on to his message of hope: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”

Prayer: Lordour God, may your grace rule in our hearts and your love
come to us in glorious fulfillment of your promise, so that in our time
we may have community with one another to praise and worship you.
Then we will be a people belonging to you and receiving help from you.
Bless your Word within us, we pray. Teach us again and again how to
keep your Word, how to be your children in deed and in truth. May we
be given strength of heart whenever great sorrow comes to us. Let your
will be revealed everywhere. Let all of humankind know that you rule,
that you help us and will remain with us into all eternity. For our
names are recorded with you, and we want to stay with you, Father in
heaven. We want nothing else but to be your children in this world, to
be children in your care for all eternity. Amen.