Dear brothers and sisters, as we approach the end of the liturgical year, our readings for the Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time invite us to reflect on themes of the end times, judgment, and hope in God’s eternal promises. In our first reading from Daniel, we hear a prophetic vision of the archangel Michael, who will come as the guardian of God’s people in a time of great distress. The vision speaks of the resurrection, where “many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake.” This imagery provides a message of both warning and promise: some will rise to everlasting life, others to eternal shame. Daniel emphasizes that “the wise shall shine brightly,” highlighting the call for us to live in God’s wisdom and truth, leading others toward righteousness.
This notion of resurrection and eternal life is not just a distant idea but a reminder of our responsibility in the here and now. Daniel calls us to be like stars that shine, which encourages us to reflect God’s light and love in the world. This is our calling as followers of Christ: to live in a way that bears witness to God’s justice and mercy, bringing light to a world often shadowed by darkness.
Our second reading from Hebrews continues the theme by contrasting the daily sacrifices made by priests under the Old Covenant with the one, perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Where human sacrifices could never truly remove sin, Christ’s sacrifice on the cross was sufficient for all time. By His offering, He has “made perfect forever those who are being consecrated.” This is a profound reminder of the power and completeness of Christ’s redemptive act. Through His sacrifice, we are made whole, forgiven, and invited into an everlasting relationship with God.
This reading also emphasizes that Christ now sits at the right hand of the Father, awaiting the fulfillment of God’s kingdom. In a world filled with suffering and struggle, this vision of Christ as the triumphant king provides hope. It reassures us that, while the ultimate victory over sin and death has already been won, we still live in the time of “not yet,” where we must actively participate in God’s work in the world.
In the Gospel reading from Mark, Jesus speaks vividly of the end times: the sun and moon darkening, stars falling, and the heavens being shaken. While this may seem terrifying, Jesus’ words are not intended to scare us; rather, they are to prepare us, helping us keep our priorities in the right place. Jesus describes a day when He, the Son of Man, will return “with great power and glory.” He will gather His elect, bringing them into His eternal embrace.
Jesus then uses the fig tree as a symbol: just as its budding leaves signal the coming of summer, so too do the signs of the times remind us to be watchful. This watchfulness is not about trying to predict exact dates or living in fear. Instead, it calls us to live each day with purpose, grounded in Christ’s teachings, so that whenever He comes, we are ready.
At the heart of today’s message is trust and hope. As Jesus says, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” This assurance invites us to anchor our lives in His eternal promises rather than in the passing concerns of the world. We may not know “the day or the hour,” but we do know the certainty of God’s love, His justice, and His faithfulness.
So, as we reflect on these readings, let us strive to be like the wise who “shine brightly” in the world, living out Christ’s love and justice. Let us remember that our salvation is secured through His sacrifice, that Christ is our eternal high priest who continues to intercede for us. And let us live each day in the hope of His return, not with fear, but with a heart ready and open, trusting in His words that will never pass away. May our lives be a reflection of His light, shining as a beacon for others, as we await the fullness of His kingdom.