Sunday November 17, 2024

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Good News Reflections:
Making scripture meaningful to your daily life
by Terry Modica

Jesus is near to us, not in the flesh but in his Holy Spirit.

Good News Reflection for:

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
November 17, 2024

Today’s Prayer:

Thank You, my Lord, because You come to us, speak to us in a thousand ways and wait for us at the end of our journey. Amen.

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Today’s Readings:

Daniel 12:1-3
Ps 16:5, 8-11
Hebrews 10:11-14, 18
Mark 13:24-32
bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111724.cfm
USCCB Podcast of the Readings:
bible.usccb.org/podcasts/audio/daily-mass-reading-podcast-november-17-2024

The Second Coming of Christ?

Do you have an unending problem? Where’s Jesus? In this Sunday’s Gospel reading, Jesus speaks of his Second Coming. And here he hasn’t even finished his first coming! How confusing it must have been to the disciples.

They grew even more confused after Jesus died, was resurrected, and ascended to heaven but delayed coming back. They remembered him saying that “this generation” will not pass away until all these Second Coming events have taken place, yet time passed, the apostles began to die off, and Jesus still had not re-appeared in the clouds. The misery of living in this world continued.

Think of your own unending problem. Don’t you wish Jesus would hurry up with his Second Coming and destroy all evil? Notice what Jesus said: “When you see these things happening, know that I am near, at the gates.” He didn’t pin down a date. He didn’t give the disciples — nor us — a definitive clue about God’s timing. (“Of that day or hour, no one knows, not the angels, not even the Son, but only the Father.”) So what was he trying to convey?

His nearness!

For the past 2000+ years, we have all been part of “this generation” that will not pass away before his Second Coming. It’s the generation of Christian humanity, the Body of Christ on Earth in the form of Church community, the generation of children who have been adopted by God the Father through the sacrifice and resurrection of God the Son.

The final era (the “last days”) of salvation began on the first Pentecost and will continue until the Second Coming of Christ. It is the age of the Holy Spirit, when Christ’s earthly ministry is continued through us who are empowered by his Spirit.

The lesson in the fig tree is that we can discern when summer is near. In other words, we can discern — in good times and in bad — that Jesus is near to us, not in the flesh except during Mass in the Eucharist, but in his Holy Spirit.

Jesus is right now at “the gate” of your next move, your next step on the journey to heaven. A gate is meant to be opened so that we can pass through it. Jesus is opening the gate right now for you — the gate of holiness, the gate of love. Step through it to live in the fullness of the mission he has planned for you here on earth.

Questions for Personal Reflection:
What problems are you waiting to be rescued from? Is Jesus really taking too long, or is there a bigger, better plan he’s fulfilling on your behalf? What do you need to do to become more aware of his nearness, his comfort, his joy and peace to help you endure the long wait?

Questions for Community Faith Sharing:
What are the signs that the Church gives us that help us discern the nearness of Christ? What other “fig trees” has Jesus given to you that increase your hope and patience and endurance?

For more help on this topic, see our WordByte called: “Your Christian vocation” @ https://wordbytes.org/evangelization-ministry/your-christian-vocation/

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