Thirty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Fr Dominic’s Homily
Today Jesus is speaking about two things: the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem that will happen within one generation after his death. But also he links this to the end of the world. Why does he do that?
Well to the Jews the temple represented a mini universe. A microcosm. The Temple building represented the earth, the bronze floor represented the ocean and the huge curtains were painted with stars and represented the sky. So when the disciples ask him about what will happen to the temple he then relates its impending destruction to the end of the world.
If the Jewish authorities had accepted Jesus and believed in who he was would their temple still have been destroyed? We don’t know. But it was the Romans who completely obliterated it along with over a million Jews and Jesus warned them that this was going to happen.
Jesus then goes on to say that this world will pass away – but my words will never pass away. It’s almost as if Jesus is saying to us:
“Everything that seems so enduring and unchangeable to you isn’t. And everything of mine that seems to pass away is enduring and without change. Even my speech that seems to pass away gives rise to thoughts that will last forever.”
If you think about our speech and the words that we use – how fleeting they are and how quickly they pass away. Our words, are never fully words they until they are formed. And then once they are completed they disappear.
They don’t have any real meaning until they leave our mouths. So in a sense they cannot be perfected except by their own passing away.
But the words of God will never pass away and are always perfect.
In the first reading we hear about St Michael the Archangel being the guardian of the people. A warrior prince. All three archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael are mentioned by name in the Old Testament. And in fact that’s where we get the prayer to St Michael from.
He is our protector in times of spiritual battle. It’s quite scary when we hear about the sun being darkened, the moon losing its light and the stars falling down from heaven. But as it says in the psalm we pray for Gods protection.
Actually many of these events are already happening. Earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, landslides, accidents, wars and famine are the regular contents of the daily news on TV.
Even stars falling from heaven. We have meteor showers that have become common nowadays. You can see them on YouTube happening all around the world. We take them for granted.
There is a saying that in life one should always plan for the worst and hope for the best. So whilst these things can be scary if we know that it is Jesus who is coming at the end of time then we do not need to be afraid.
What we must be afraid of is continuing our lives in this world without a true belief in God and doing what he asks. It’s a warning against complacency and wayward life.
Almost like children being warned by the mother, “Wait till your father comes home” we are warned that Jesus will come again at the end of time as the Eternal Judge. So we should look at the message as a warning but also encouragement, and good news for all of us.
So now is a good time to choose for God and change our lives.
But it’s actually an encouragement to all those who are suffering and persevere to live as faithful followers of Jesus.
Their sufferings and sacrifices are not in vain. The Lord will reward them for their fidelity and loving service. Salvation always follows suffering just as light always follows darkness.
Jesus said: “When these things begin to happen, know that he is near, at the very gates.” Instead of being ominous portents, these are signs of good to come and we must focus on that.
So we must stay awake and live as if we expect Jesus to return very soon. The end will come, and that’s for sure. And the best way to prepare for the end is to begin taking the path to salvation right now.
Because the end is also the beginning of something more glorious and perfect than we can ever imagine when Jesus returns to complete his kingdom.