Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Homily)
November 15, 2015 7:00 am · Father David Mbimadong
Today we celebrate the 33rd Sunday in ordinary time. Next Sunday we shall be celebrating the feast of Christ the King; an anticipation of the final judgement, and that will close the Liturgical year for 2015. On 29th Nov. we’ll begin the season of Advent. In a certain way, this Sunday marks the end of the year. It is from this perspective that the first reading speaks of the end of time. It draws our attention to the fact that, evil will not have the final say. It says the devil and all those who work for him will be defeated when the might of God, personified in St. Michael the Archangel, is displayed. All who are of evil intent will be put to shame. For them, it shall be a time of everlasting horror and disgrace. But for those who abide by the precepts of the Lord, it shall be the outpouring of God’s mercy – a time of salvation when they would behold the glorious splendor of God’s reign. For, the Lord God will certainly become their inheritance. There in God’s presence, His Holy Ones will no longer be disturbed.
The gospel takes up this line of reasoning when St. Mark quotes Jesus as saying “in those days, after that tribulation… they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds … and He will send out the angels to gather His elect…” That is, to save those who defied all odds to remain faithful to Christ. Simply, these texts from scripture seek to encourage us to practice our faith even when all the odds seem to turn against us. They remind us over and over again that God will not leave His faithful ones to suffer want. For Jesus Himself said, ‘Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.’ (Mt 5:8).
This is what the Catechism of the Catholic Church sums up when it said, “those who are united with Christ will form the community of the redeemed, ‘the holy city’ of God, ‘the bride, the wife of the Lamb.’ She will not be wounded any longer by sin, stains, self-love, that destroy or wound the earthly community. The beatific vision, in which God opens himself in an inexhaustible way to the elect, will be the ever-flowing well-spring of happiness, peace, and mutual communion.” (ccc1045).
For true believers, this awakens an eager longing. Yet for those among us who still have issues with our faith it is a frightening moment. However, to escape this fear and be more prepared for the end times, Christ left us the Sacraments (important road signs to salvation). If we live our sacramental life faithfully in union with Christ, we have nothing to fear. For He becomes our shield and the armor that deflects power of evil.
And St. Paul puts it beautifully when he said, “Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground. So stand fast with your loins girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breastplate, and your feet shod in readiness for the gospel of peace.” (Eph. 6:13-14). And to conclude, I leave you with these words of St. Paul; “In all circumstances,
hold faith as a shield, to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Eph. 6:16-17).