BANDIEZ, YOBHEL AILEC TROY A.

BSMLS-3

NOVEMBER 14, 2021

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.”

REFLECTION:

The words of Jesus will never be forgotten.

Nobody knows when Jesus will return in all of his grandeur. Let us not be fooled by false prophets who
claim to have unique knowledge of God's plans. Great calamities have occurred in the past, and, God
forbid, many more may occur in the future. We can be certain that He will arrive shortly.

What we need to do is always be prepared. We must pray at all hours of the day and night, purify ourselves,
forgive others and ourselves, and serve others so that when Jesus returns, we will be ready.

Yes, God sends us signs, and we must be on the lookout for anything he may be revealing to us. May the
Holy Spirit's might offer us the gift of insight and discernment so that we can understand His will for
ourselves and the world. Meanwhile, we cling to His promises, as the reading assures us that His words
will never die.

In light of His second coming, Jesus is urging us to have a feeling of urgency. The world's coming judgment
should motivate us to act now or risk being caught off guard. Let us choose to repent and be regenerated
right now. Yet, rather of being afraid, we should be glad because we know we are loved and have been
redeemed by His dying on the cross.