We will one day die, we will experience the judgment of God,

and the actions of our lives will determine our experience of eternity.

If we have repented and sought to return to God, we will, finally, be blessed with the vision of his glory.

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Daniel 12:1-3

At that time,

Michael will rise, the Great Commander who defends your people. It shall be a time of anguish as never before since the nations first existed until this very day.

 

Then all those whose names are written in the Book will be saved. Many of those who sleep in the Region of the Dust will awake, some to everlasting life but others to eternal horror and shame. Those who acquired knowledge will shine like the brilliance of the firmament; those who taught people to be just will shine like the stars for all eternity.

 

Ps 16:5, 8, 9-10, 11 (1) You are my inheritance, O Lord!

 

＊＊＊ 2nd Reading ＊＊＊

Hebrews 10:11-14, 18

So, whereas every priest stands daily by the altar, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices that can never take away sins, Christ has offered for all times a single sacrifice for sins and has taken his seat at the right hand of God, waiting until God puts his enemies as a footstool under his feet. By a single sacrifice he has brought those who are sanctified to what is perfect forever. So, if sins are forgiven, there is no longer need of any sacrifice for sin.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊      

Mark 13:24-32

Later on in those days, after that disastrous time, the sun will grow dark, the moon will not give its light, the stars will fall out of the sky and the whole universe will be shaken. Then people will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And he will send the angels to gather his chosen people from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the sky.

 

Learn a lesson from the fig tree. As soon as its branches become tender and it begins to sprout leaves, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see these things happening, know that the time is near, even at the door. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all this has happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

 

But, regarding that Day and that Hour, no one knows when it will come, not even the angels, not even the Son, but only the Father.

 

Gospel Reflection ：

"As soon as its branches become tender and it begins to sprout leaves, you know that summer is near."

 

Lectio Divina

 

READ: Jesus was teaching about the coming of the Son of Man. There would be a disastrous time when the sun would grow dark, the moon would not shed its light, the stars would fall and the entire universe would be shaken. Then the people would see the Son of Man coming in clouds with glory and great power.

 

He would send his angels to gather the chosen people from the four corners of the earth. Jesus taught them the lesson from the fig tree wherein through its leaves the summer time could be predicted. Jesus cautioned his listeners to be ready because the kingdom of God is near at hand. Nonetheless, no one knows when such things will happen.

 

 REFLECT: Aside from the apocalyptic books in the Bible (Daniel and Revelation), the Synoptic Gospels contain the so-called "little apocalypse" (cf. Mk 13; Mt 24-25; Lk 21). Today's Gospel pericope (vv. 24-32) is found in the little apocalypse of Mark 13. Apocalyptic literature is often perceived to be conveying a message about the end – understood as something terminal. However, the apocalyptic tradition does not speak of the end but of the beginning of a new time or period. With today's apocalyptic message, the Lord is inviting us to enter into a new relationship with him.

 

PRAY: Let us pray for the grace that we may be able to accept God's offer of a new relationship with him. 

 

ACT: Let us think of one negative trait we want to change and practice changing it before the end of the liturgical year.