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Home  / News & Publications /  Michigan Catholic News / 2009 /  The judgment of the Lord is coming!

by Fr. Richard C. Macey special to The Michigan Catholic
Published November 6, 2009

Sometimes you have to get to the source of a problem to get rid of the symptoms. My father reminded me of that one day, when I could actually feel an electric charge on our boat.

First Reading: Daniel 12:1-3

As we approach the end of the ecclesiastical year, the readings are from apocalyptic passages that speak about the final judgment upon creation. This passage is from the vision of the prophet Daniel. Michael is the Archangel, a special messenger of God, who appears in the final judgment upon the world. His name means, "one who is like God." This passage records the final victory of those who were "written in the book." There is a judgment upon the good, those who "shall live forever" and the evil ones, who "shall be an everlasting horror and disgrace." Also, those "who lead the many to justice" receive a special reward, "like the stars forever."

The Archangel Michael assumes a more prominent role in this age just before the coming of Jesus. The account of Michael's struggle with the devil over the body of Moses is in the apocalyptic Jewish work, the "Ascension of Moses." The story is the inspiration for the New Testament verse in the Letter of Jude 9.

The historical reference in the book is the transition from the Persian Age of the sixth century B.C., through the Seleucids/Hellenists, to the Maccabean Age in the first half of the of the second century B.C. The Maccabean Age was a renewed and final independence of Israel until 1948.

Second Reading: Hebrews 10:11-14, 18

The author contrasts the actions of the priests in the Temple (which has been destroyed by this time in history) and the priestly action of Jesus Christ (called "this one"). There are many priests and frequent offerings in the Temple. Jesus offered "one sacrifice for sins ... one offering." He does not stand, as do the priests, but "took His seat" beside God. There is no need for any further offerings. The repeated sacrificial offerings in the Temple were a preparation for the more perfect and singular offering of Jesus. His sacrifice not only accounted for the sins that had been committed up to that time. They also provided "forgiveness for sins" that would be committed. The action of Jesus Christ continually acts to consecrate His people.

Daily offerings in the Temple were a sign of God's presence among the people. It was also a sign that everything was secure and in good order. The enthronement of Jesus replaced the need for that continual practice. He fulfilled and supplanted the provision under the covenant for the law and the cult.

Gospel: Mark 13:24-32

This passage is from "the short apocalypse" of verses 5-37. Jesus quotes from Daniel 7:13 about the Son of Man. That is the preferred title used by Jesus about Himself in the Gospel of Mark. The appearance of the Son of Man describes a direct divine intervention into history. Other allusions to prophetic literature in this passage suggest that it be read in that context. Jesus speaks as a prophet to bring about a change in the behavior of the people and recall them to obedience to God.

This is an example of apocalyptic eschatology. It was a genre of literature that lasted about 200 years on either side of the birth of Jesus. It was a "social death wish." Things were so bad in the world, that the people saw only its destruction and reconstruction by God as an answer to the injustice. No human effort could fix what was wrong. This literature included ominous cosmic images of worldwide destruction and the final judgment upon all creation by God. God was the only power who was consistent and strong enough to put things in life back in order. That was the work of the Creator.

The closing verse of this passage is a call for the followers of Jesus to be alert and ready, since the lessons of Jesus and His "words will not pass away." The words "that day" and "hour" refer to the judgment of God at the end of time.

Sometimes you have to get to the source of a problem to get rid of the symptoms. My father reminded me of that one day, when I could actually feel an electric charge on our boat. My hair felt like it was being pulled up! Well, I thought for sure that it was the new electronic gadget that was wired into the boat. I spent hours working on the wiring, trying to get that feeling to go away. My father told me not to be so fixed on a small point. He opened up the deck and found a problem near the battery. That was the source of the problem! I have tried to remember to be more open-minded to take care of other "symptoms" in life.

Jesus reminds us that the real problems in life come when we are not in communion with the source of life, God. Trying to patch up one part of our life, which may be in disorder, may require greater attention to the spiritual power, which runs through us. The final judgment restores the connections that make all things work well together.

Fr. Richard C. Macey is pastor of Our Lady of the Woods Parish, Woodhaven.