REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR SATURDAY OF THE 34TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME 2ND DECEMBER 2023

REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR SATURDAY OF THE 34TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME 2ND DECEMBER 2023

Dan.7:15-27; Dan.3; Luke 21:34-36

Do not be carried away!

Today is the last day of this liturgical year. For some time now Jesus has been talking to his disciples (and to us, by extension) about the end that is to come; the inescapable end. Today, he admonished the disciples to be watchful always so that the end does not take them by surprise. The end will be surprising only for those who did not prepare for it.

Furthermore, Jesus enumerated those things that could make us “sleep” rather than keep watch for the coming of the Son of Man: dissipation, drunkenness and cares of this life. In sum, they point to being overwhelmed by the things of this world to the extent that we either doubt the second coming of Christ or we treat it with levity.

The consistent talk on the end is an attempt to draw our attention in an irrevocable manner to this all-important truth. Sometimes, it is when we hear or experience the death of someone we have known that we are forced to think about our own end. Unfortunately, this sober reflection lasts but only for a moment. Such is not how to be watchful.

To be watchful is to be conscious of our end and our appearance before the Son of Man. When this watchfulness is without spiritual insight, it brings fear to the mind. But with spiritual insight into the essence of things, we come to understand that to be conscious of our end is to long to go home; to long to be happy forever. This is the mindset of the psalmist today as he exclaims: “Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!”

As we enter a new liturgical year tomorrow, may we be renewed in our commitment to live for the Lord.