Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 158
A Reading for the Gospel according to Mark
MK 13:24-32
Jesus said to his disciples:
"In those days after that tribulation
the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light,
and the stars will be falling from the sky,
and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
"And then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in the clouds'
with great power and glory,
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.
"Learn a lesson from the fig tree.
When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves,
you know that summer is near.
In the same way, when you see these things happening,
know that he is near, at the gates.
Amen, I say to you,
this generation will not pass away
until all these things have taken place.
Heaven and earth will pass away,
but my words will not pass away.
"But of that day or hour, no one knows,
neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."
Salesian Sunday Reflection
Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today’s readings remind us that we have nothing to fear if we have hope and faith in God. St. Francis de Sales has much to say about hope, faith, trust in God:
Hope in God, for God will free you from your burdens or give you the strength to bear them. When we have faith in God, we are shielded from our enemies and the terrors of the night. To say “I believe in God” is to say we do not trust in our own strength but in the strength of God. It is most certain that God exercises a tender care for us when we abandon all our anxieties and fears to Divine Providence. Yet God desires that we do all that lies in our power to accomplish our tasks. Go ahead filled with courage, but go in simplicity. God wants us to use all the ordinary means to attain hope and trust.
We must not think that we have no talent to do what we are called upon to do. Thinking we are not virtuous enough must not trouble us. The apostles were fishermen who were given talents and holiness to the extent these gifts were necessary to fulfil the mission God confided to them. Go ahead without worrying and without turning back. Whenever you work for God’s glory, God will always give you what you need at the proper time, and provide what is necessary for you and those entrusted to your care.
If you feel disheartened, throw yourself immediately into God’s arms, entrusting yourself to God’s care. We must not be upset if we have little attacks of anxiety and sadness, as they give us opportunities to practice the best and dearest virtues: trust in God and gentleness. When things go wrong, is this not the best time to trust in God? We must encourage one another in holy hope. Without growing weary, we must walk in hope, ardently yet tranquilly, carefully but confidently. Let us climb Mount Tabor where, in hope, faith and trust in God, we will encounter Jesus when He comes in glory.
