Be Vigilant and Prepared

Be Vigilant and Prepared

 

Nov.15^th 2015  Sunday Homily: Fr.Francis Chirackal CMI

1 Daniel 12:1-3; Heb 10:11-14,18; Mk 13:24-32

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The French prophet and astrologer Nostradamus (1503-1566) foretold that the world would end when Easter fell on April 25. This happened in 1666, 1734, 1886 and 1943; it will occur again in 2038. Scientists, also, have fueled public anxiety by citing a series of possible ways including nuclear war, a super volcano and a collision with a comet in which the world could come to an end. The Jehovah’s Witnesses frightened gullible followers at least 3 times during the last century with their “end of the world” predictions in 1914, 1918 and 1974. It is this paranoid fear that led people to die in the mass suicides organized by Heaven’s Gate and Jim Jones. But in today’s gospel, we see Jesus is foretelling of the end of the world. According to this apocalyptic prophesy, it is not a day of destruction but culmination altogether or part by part that we do not know, not a day of death but a day of resurrection and reward.

The first reading presents Daniel’s vision of the Archangel Michael, who awakens those who sleep in the dust. This story was told to uphold the hope and faith of Israelites in Yahweh, during the period of persecution by a pagan king. The second reading from the Book of Hebrews reminds us that understanding God’s love in the mystery of the incarnation of His only Son Jesus Christ and the great sacrifice Jesus offered on Calvary will enable us to thank and praise God continuously and remain grateful and faithful to Him.

Today’s gospel reminds us of the need to be ever vigilant and prepared as he has said on several occasions. Birth or origin, growth and extinction are the part of universal truth and the universe is a witness to it from the beginning. Based on this reality, there were and there are many stories pertaining to human understanding and imagination from time to time. Science also gives its own explanation regarding the end of the world. Many times this belief has led mankind to unreasonable and unrealistic behavior and actions. There were similar beliefs during the period of Jesus at Palestine. So the gospel here advises not to panic or be fooled by rumors or misleading news. This material world may pass away, but not His words and our true existence. It will remain. When our life is based on His words, our life will continue in its true essence. We have God’s word for it, vindicated by his glorious resurrection.

Every one of us with a sane mind and matured age, knows that our life in this world is temporary and one day we need to leave this earth. Some leave this world with great joy while many leave with sadness and frustration. The Gospel words speak of the signs and signals to enable us to leave this world victoriously with pleasure, embracing a glorious joy. Each religion gives different understandings regarding the life beyond this visible body. Hinduism comes with the concept of ‘karma’ i.e. rebirth, according to the quality of one’s life in this world until the soul becomes purified to find ‘Mukti’, the salvation. It sees the opportunities to become perfect by purifying oneself, living a life of higher hardships, even by getting a life of lower creatures, as per God’s will. Buddhism defines the life beyond this physical body as Nirvana i.e. the "state beyond sorrows," or a "state of freedom from cyclic existence." According to the Bible, mankind gets only one life to live on this earth, and he or she has to make a choice for heaven or no-heaven during this span of life. One has to make the choice in day-to-day life, based on the revealed eternal Word of God, and signs and signals found in nature and their fellow beings around them. The cataclysmic events described in connection with Jesus’ coming in the clouds indicate His power and final victory. It will be a day of victory also for those who served God and His people faithfully in love and charity.

In our day to day lives and at our time of death, we may encounter different types of turmoil based on our life and faith. These words therefore are a comfort and a source of encouragement for the righteous who suffer persecution and hardships to overcome the turmoil and join the victorious group. God Bless you.