Reflection by Rev. Leonard N. Peterson
Two words; six letters are all it takes to know that the movie’s over. If you actually go back to see one in a theater, you know that then the house lights come up; the audience stands and steadily makes its return to reality. But the Scriptures, much more important for our lives, at this time of year bring up a somewhat frightening question: “What comes with the end of reality?”
To answer that one best, we rightly turn to the one Person who knows the answer to all but the date. We hear Him today talk about a darkening sun and a disappearing moon, accompanied by falling stars and a quaking universe. Even if we’re not told the day, it’s a safe bet that most of us would prefer to be somewhere else when that happens!
Why would Our Lord tell us these things? And why would His Church proclaim the unpleasant truths today? Well, like a loving and practical Mother, the Church wants us to think of the future when we make some of our decisions in life.
Right now, we have come near to the end of the Church’s Liturgical year. You might say that next Sunday’s Feast of Christ the King is the Church’s “New Year’s Eve.” We will have lived another year of reflecting on the all-important life of Christ in the Sunday celebrations. Today we are invited to ponder the end time of the world as we know it. Implied is another reminder that you and I are not “in charge.”
All of this is not meant to scare us, or to become morbid. Just realistic. Especially so when it comes to the matter of our own lives. The Church is saying in the name of her mystical Head, Jesus Christ, that it would really be foolish to live and act as if this life of ours on earth is not going to end. Even if we are not around when the world ends.
Thinking about our own end has some benefits. It keeps us humble. You must know that despite all your many accomplishments here below, many of which can make you justly proud, it will all come to an end. Knowing that can put a check on our spending selfishly when we have the obligation to aid the poor among us. Today just happens to be “World Day of the Poor” so named by Pope Francis. Perfect timing for sure.
Meanwhile, we have the truth that Jesus, God’s Son, stands triumphant in Heaven. He offers His blessed assurance that on the other side of death lies a new world, replete with an indescribable joy that never ends. Here and now, he keeps His promise to be with us. He goes so far as to feed us with Himself in the Holy Eucharist. That nourishment helps us face our future energized with hope and confidence. So, all kidding aside, we could say quite truthfully that “Death is not a period, but a comma in the story of life.”
God love you and give you His peace.
Rev. Peterson’s Reading & Gospel Summary
Reading I: David 12: 1-3
Despite the great suffering to come at the end of time, those whose names are found “written in the book” of life shall be saved.
Reading II: Hebrews 10: 11-14, 18
The Son of God will make his enemies his footstool. Then he will make perfect those who are being consecrated now.
The Gospel: Mark 13: 24-32
At the end of time, the Son of Man will return in glory and gather His elect. Jesus also tells the disciples that the growth pattern of the fig tree is a helpful warning sign of these future happenings.