Homily for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

We have all noticed that the days are getting shorter in recent weeks, the air is crisper, and the trees have nearly lost all their leaves. Our part of the world is becoming darker as winter approaches, bringing us closer to the end of the calendar year and the liturgical year. This is a time for reflection on the end times, often called the Apocalypse. Therefore, the words of Jesus in our Gospel become increasingly relevant during this season.

In examining today's Gospel, it is essential to understand what Jesus was conveying to his disciples and how it affected them. While discussing apocalyptic matters, His message differs from what is often portrayed in literature.

The word "apocalypse" comes from the Greek meaning to unveil and reveal.

Jesus said that the world would be destroyed, the stars would fall from the sky, and the moon and the sun would be darkened. For the people in ancient Jerusalem, the sun, moon, and stars were crucial points of reference for time and location. They guided them on their journeys and indicated the time of year and the time of day.

Jesus went on to say something that causes many doubters to question the truth of His words: that all these events would occur before that generation passed away. Yet, two thousand years later, the sun, stars, and moon remain in their places. So, was Jesus wrong? Was he mistaken?

For a person of faith who thoughtfully reflects on Jesus' words, it becomes clear that Jesus often conveyed messages that went beyond their surface meaning. He had a more profound significance to reveal to us, aiming to unveil profound truths.

Essentially, Jesus informed His followers that nothing in this world is certain, particularly concerning death. Death serves as a significant reference point for all human beings. We are all aware that it is inevitable, and many of us strive to accomplish specific goals before we reach that boundary.

When death is feared, it exerts significant control over us; it is the tool that tyrants and terrorists use to manipulate people into doing their bidding.

The fear of death has been described as the root of all sin. Every form of tyranny and system of domination gains power from our fear of death. This fear makes us vulnerable to manipulation in various ways.

Jesus understood that people's perceptions of the world, their place in it, and the significance of death would be transformed.

Jesus' death and Resurrection and the promise that we will rise after death change our perspective on life. For the faithful, death no longer holds power over us, as we no longer view it as final. Because of the Resurrection, the grip of sin can be broken, allowing us to live in the freedom of being God's children and in accordance with His will. While death remains inevitable, the Resurrection reveals the truth about death, transforming it into something magnificent—a doorway to everlasting life.