Commentary: The Church focuses on the return of Christ and the end of the world at the end of each liturgical year (which culminates next Sunday with the Solemnity of Christ the King). This is to remind us all to prepare for what is inevitable. Today’s first reading and Gospel focus on this theme. The main takeaway from Daniel is an indication of the final resurrection. “Those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake.” We profess this in the Creed when we say, “I look forward to the resurrection of the dead.” We also learn that we will all end up in one of two eternal states: Heaven (where we will “live forever”) or Hell (where there shall be “everlasting horror and disgrace”).
Commentary: Our second reading today continues from the book of Hebrews to focus on Jesus as the new High Priest, as has been the theme the last few weeks. The priest’s primary role is to offer sacrifice. In the Old Testament, the priests sacrificed animals. The author of Hebrews says that those sacrifices “can never take away sins.” The animal sacrificial system, although it was good and God-given, was not sufficient. It simply gave a temporary fix to the problem of sin, not a definitive solution. Jesus, rather, offers the definitive answer because He offered the definitive sacrifice. Jesus’ death on the cross was the once-for-all sacrifice for sins. His sacrifice is sufficient to conquer sin and offer salvation to all who accept it because Jesus is God in the flesh. As God, Jesus is infinite. Therefore, His sacrifice has infinite value and can bring us infinite forgiveness of our sins which, therefore, leads us to eternal life. Jesus died so we may live and have life with Him for all eternity.
Commentary: Jesus speaks in cryptic language here about coming judgment. He uses language that is reminiscent of the Old Testament prophets, including Daniel in the first reading. There is dual meaning here. First, Jesus points forward to judgment upon the city of Jerusalem. This was fulfilled in A.D. 70 when the Romans conquered Israel, pillaged Jerusalem, and leveled the Temple. This fulfillment makes sense of Jesus’ statement that “this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place.” The destruction of Jerusalem occurred within the lifetime of many who were hearing these words. Second, Jesus is speaking prophetically about His Second Coming. Jesus will one day “come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,” as we profess in the Creed. Although we do not know when, it is a fact that He will one day return. It could be today, or tomorrow, or next year, or 1,000 years from now for all we know. The question is, will you be ready?
Taking it Home:
Jesus died on the cross to offer us eternal life in heaven. Yet, often times we get caught up in the here and now. This life is not forever. We will one day be held accountable for all that we have done. You’re invited to prepare by seeking to love Jesus above all else now.