33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time

Deacon’s Reflection for November 14, 2021

Daniel 12:1-3: This passage has both hopeful and fearsome tones. It prophecies a future time of unimaginable world instability and evil. However, in the midst of this grim forecast, we are reassured that, just when we need him the most, Michael the Archangel shall come on the scene to guard and protect us. Our God will not leave us defenseless in our time of need and will not give us up to our captors. Instead, we’re promised that all of those found “written in the book” of the saved, will be released from captivity and persecution by evil forces. Imagine the glorious sense of relief at the moment of being saved! Glory be to God! We’re further revived by the announcement that many of the dead shall be raised. However, here again we have a divergent picture. Some of the dead will be raised to everlasting life in Heaven, while others will be awakened to eternal suffering, damnation and torture. Let’s work to be in the group that will be Heaven-bound!

Psalm 16: “You are my inheritance, O Lord!” After the distressing first reading, this reassuring psalm calling us to faith and confidence in God is a welcome relief. We’re comforted after being told of the psalmist’s confidence that he or she will not be disturbed; in view of his or her closeness to God. The writer expresses deep serenity of heart, soul and body; because of the psalmist’s life of faithfulness and obedience to God. The obedient and just servant need not fear, no matter what the distressing circumstances on earth may be.

Hebrews 10:11-14,18: Here, St. Paul contrasts Jesus’ Divine and saving priesthood with the limited faculties of mere mortal priests. The acrifices of mortal priests can’t take away sins or provide redemption and forgiveness of sins; as compared to Jesus’ Divine Priesthood as our Messiah, Savior and Redeemer. While mortal priesthoods and ministries are temporary, Jesus’ priesthood is eternal. This is meant in no way to diminish respect for earthly ministries. We’ve needed them and they’ve provided an important function of helping to bring people to God; but the saving ministry is completed through Jesus’ perfect Sacrifice of Himself, on the Cross, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.

Mark 13:24-32: As we near the end of the Church’s liturgical year, we focus on the end of our earthly journeys, as well. We’re encouraged to focus on both… the ending of our own individual earthly journeys upon our deaths, but also the end of time and the final judgment that all of us on earth will face, publicly and as a group, to be witnessed by all. This invitation to reflect and plan for our future deaths and for eternity is not meant to scare us. This passage reminds us of the inevitability of death and is a serious caution to us to live out our faith. We’re told throughout Scripture that if we are obediently loving and faithful, we have nothing to fear, though “the stars be falling from the sky and the powers in the heavens be shaken.”

Ultimately, the theme of this Sunday’s readings is that we must strive always to live in holiness. Pray to be perfected in love. Then we’ll have nothing to fear.

Contemplatively,
Deacon Matt