For this week’s homily please watch the video below.

33rd Sun b

“The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.” “It shall be a time unsurpassed in distress since nations began until that time.” 

We’ll hear words like this in the gospels of Mark and Luke, Revelation and the Book of Daniel, in our readings at Mass for the next few weeks.  They’re apocalyptic writings that appear in the scriptures when something is beyond our comprehension, something so big that only the biggest and most dramatic words try to describe it.

Apocalyptic language is used when the earth and the universe itself seem to be turned upside down. That occurs when Jesus dies and rises from the dead.

In the 13th chapter of St. Mark. Jesus and his disciples arrive in Jerusalem where he will be put to death and rise from the dead, an event that will change the course of history and bring a new promise of life to the world itself. How describe it?  

The disciples were not thinking of his suffering and death as they arrive in Jerusalem;  their attention is on something else. One of his disciples points to the temple: ‘Look, teacher, what stones and what buildings!’ 

He pointed out the magnificent new temple begun by Herod the Great, one of history’s great builders. The new temple, a wonder of its time, stood in Jerusalem, the place of their dreams. 

To the disciples of Jesus a picture of what Israel could be was before them. In the newly built temple they saw a flourishing Israel and also a promise of human flourishing. This was what the world could be. 

“Do you see these great buildings? There will not be one stone left upon another that will not be thrown down.” Jesus told his disciples, pointing out not only the impermanence  of  Jerusalem and its temple, but also the impermanence of all human civilizations. 

The temple of Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans in the year 70 AD;  the Roman Empire itself  came to an end a few centuries later.

Jesus spoke of human impermanence. At the same time he pointed to another future, God’s future, God’s kingdom, greater than any we can imagine. 

Like his disciples, we hold on to our earthly dreams. How difficult for us to make our own the words of this Sunday’s responsorial psalm. “You are my inheritance, O Lord.” 

“Learn a lesson from the fig tree.
When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves,
you know that summer is near.
In the same way, when you see these things happening,
know that he is near, at the gates.”

Let’s not overlook this simple teaching of Jesus. He tells us to learn from the natural world which now enters its winter sleep but comes to life again as summer draws near. Another world awaits us.

Finally, this section of the scriptures, rich in apocalyptic language, prepares us for reading the scriptural  accounts of the death and resurrection of Jesus. Mark’s final words describing Jesus death begins: 

“At noon darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And at three o’clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”  Jesus’ words about the days when “the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light” are fulfilled.

“The veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom.” Mark announces as Jesus breathes his last breath. 

“The earth quaked, rocks were split, tombs were opened, and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised. And coming forth from their tombs after his resurrection, they entered the holy city and appeared to many.” Matthew adds.  (Mat 27: 51-53)