Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection November 17, 2024

17th November 2024 (Sunday)

Psalter: Week 1

Reading of the Day

First Reading: Daniel 12:1-3

At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.

Psalm 16:5 and 8, 9-10, 11 (R. 1)

R/. Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.

Second Reading: Hebrews 10:11-14, 18

Every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.

Gospel Acclamation

V/. Alleluia

R/. Alleluia

V/. Stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to stand before the Son of Man.

R/. Alleluia.

Gospel : Mark 13:24-32

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, “In those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”

Daily Gospel Reflection

Sunday – Thirty-Third Sunday of Ordinary Time

Guidelines: Our life is a short duration with a definitive orientation toward an eternal destination. Therefore, let us be aware of the end times and befittingly prepared to meet the end for a new beginning

1. The Word of God speaks of the end times. The first simple lesson is this: there is an end to our life. This life on earth as humans is only temporary and transient. There is one day when we need to leave this world.

2. If this is so, it must make us think seriously about why there is so much evil, greed, and selfishness in the world. If everyone has to disappear from this earth sooner or later, why do people go on endlessly accumulating money and other material things for generations as if they are going to be permanent on this earth?

3. Second consideration is: This end moment is not only the moment of death but also a time of reckoning and judgment. Death is not merely a cessation of life. It is a threshold to another phase of life that will be judged at that moment. Everyone will be judged according to the quality of their life on earth till death.

4. Everyone has to submit a strict account of their life. God is the Judge. And He judges whether one merits eternal salvation or deserves eternal damnation. That is why the first reading from the book of Daniel declares that “some (will be sent) to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

5. The third consideration is: One may not know the exact time or the mode of the end day. But what is sure is that there will be an end day and judgment and destiny. And there are enough and more signs that direct our attention on to our last day. These are the so-called end times in terms of natural calamities, social unrests, corrosion of human values and relationships, et cetera.

6. Fourth consideration is: These are not to frighten us but to caution us, awaken us, challenge, and change us. That is why Jesus compares this to the seasons of the fig tree. Just as the nature of the fig tree indicates the corresponding seasons, so also “when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near at the very gates”.

7. Fifth consideration is: This fact of the end times and end day shall make us more responsible to prepare ourselves to meet that destined day and the destiny thereafter in a fitting way. What does this imply?

8. This summons us to be “wise”. This concretely implies depth-awareness and follow-up. That is, to be aware of the fact of culpability, the vulnerability and unpredictability of earthly life, and the need to live a life of accountability.

9. Sixth consideration is: When one lives such a life of wisdom in awareness and uprightness of life, then there is no need to fear or be panicky. They can be serene and joyful for their reward is immeasurably great.

10. They “shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book”. “For by a single offering Christ Jesus has perfected for all time those who are sanctified”. “They will see the Son of man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And then he will send out his angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heavens”. “And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever”.

Practice: It will be really foolishness to live an unaccountable and blameworthy life that deserves a just judgment, knowing fully well that our judgment and destiny depend on a wise and accountable life