Homily

This weekend’s readings invite us to reflect on the “four last things”: Death, Judgment, Heaven, and Hell. These readings assure us that our God will be with us all the days of our lives until our death. He, as our Father, always guides and protects us despite the uncertainty of the end of the world when “Christ will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead.”

This weekend, we are invited to contemplate the threefold coming of Jesus: 1) His first coming in the flesh as Redeemer; 2) His second coming at our death or at the end of time; and 3) His continual coming into our lives through the Sacraments and prayers.

The first reading, taken from the prophet Daniel (167 BC), was initially offered to comfort and inspire hope in the Jewish people persecuted by the cruel pagan Greek king Antiochus Epiphanes. It advises us to live wisely and justly in the present rather than worry about an uncertain future. In the second reading, the author of the Letter to the Hebrews encourages us to look toward the future with hope and serenity because Jesus has secured our forgiveness and sanctification through His sacrifice on the cross. He now sits at God’s right hand as the Mediator between God and us.

Today’s Gospel, taken from Mark (AD 69), also extends hope to early Christians who the Roman Emperor Nero persecuted. It reminds them of Jesus’ promise of His glorious return to earth as Judge of the living and the dead. This Gospel reassures the first Christians and us that the righteous will receive the reward of eternal life. Through the fig tree parable in this Gospel, Jesus warns us to recognize the “signs of the times.” And always be prepared for the end of the

World and ready to give Him an account of our lives.

Brothers and sisters, we should recognize the “second coming” of Jesus in our daily lives through ordinary occurrences. We must never forget that He will come without warning one day. However, we need not fear His Second Coming, for Jesus is with us every day, and we receive Him constantly through the sacraments offered by the Church. This preparation allows us to welcome Jesus worthily on the day of His Second Coming by doing His will. Also, if we are mindful of His second coming, we should be able to serve and love our brothers and sisters, acknowledging Christ’s presence in them.

Another important lesson for us this Sunday is “to learn a lesson from the fig tree.” This means we must watch and wait in readiness for the second coming of our Lord. Instead of worrying about end-time events, let us dedicate our daily lives to loving God and serving others with sacrificial love.

Peace be with you,

Fr. Americo Santos