33rd SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (B)

And then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in the clouds.

Mk 13:24-32

GOSPEL EXPLANATION

The description of the sun and moon darkening and the stars falling from the sky come from the prophet Isaiah while the imagery of the Son of Man coming in the clouds come from the prophet Daniel.
The elect come from the four winds. This means that salvation is not only for the Jews. Even non-Jews will be saved.

The fig tree bears fruit twice a year.

Jesus says that the return of the Son of Man will happen during the lifetime of those who are listening to Jesus. This is a problem because those listening to Jesus are long dead and he has not yet returned.

No one knows when the Son of Man will return even the Son. This is a problem because if Jesus is God how come he does not know when he supposed to return.

LITURGY

The last Sundays of the Liturgical year until the Second Sunday of Advent are all devoted to the theme of the Parousia or the Second Coming of Christ.

ESCHATOLOGY

The Parousia is described using apocalyptic and eschatological language, that is, in terms of destruction and natural calamities. The natural reaction is one of fear. The movie 2012 precisely narrates the story of the end of the world in terms of destruction. But one should not take this description literally.

Nevertheless, it will be a time of fear for those who will be punished. Instead, it will be a time of expectant joy for those who will be saved.

CREED

This belief in the second coming of Jesus as judge is found in the Apostles’ Creed. We declare: “He will come again to judge the living and the dead.”