Eighth World day of the poor: “The prayer of the poor rises up to God”
On the feast day of Saint Anthony of Padua, the patron saint of the poor, Pope Francis gave a message to celebrate the world day of the poor. By quoting from the book of Sirach 21:5, “the prayer of the poor rises up to God” Pope begins his reflection. How can we not recall here in the city of Rome, Saint Benedict Joseph Labre (1748-1783), whose body rests and is venerated in the parish church of Santa Maria ai Monti. A pilgrim from France to Rome, rejected by many monasteries, he spent the last years of his life poor among the poor, spending hours in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, with the rosary, reciting the breviary, reading the New Testament and the Imitation of Christ. Having no place to stay, he usually slept in a corner of the ruins of the Colosseum like a “vagabond of God,” making his life a ceaseless prayer that rose up to God.
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/poveri/documents/20240613
messaggio-viii-giornatamondiale-poveri-2024.html
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Sermon for the 33rd Sunday 2024-year B
First reading: Daniel 12:1-3.
Second reading: Hebrew 10:11-14,18
Gospel acclamation: Lk 21:36
Gospel of Mark: 13:24-32.
DO NOT GIVE UP- HOLD ON TO YOUR FAITH TILL THE END
Today as we celebrate the thirty-third Sunday of the ordinary times, so called the second last Sunday of the liturgical year 2024. On the last Sunday we will celebrate the Solemnity of the Christ the King.
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This Sunday as we are a step away from the closure of the liturgical year B, the readings are focusing on the end of the times. They tell us on the one hand about the final tribulations but on the other they encourage the faithful with hope to withstand it by focusing on God and eternal life. The first reading is taken from the last chapter of the book of Prophet Daniel (Dan12:1-3) and the Gospel reading is selected from the thirteenth chapter of the Gospel of Mark (Mk 13: 24-32). Both these readings are called the apocalyptic literature, because they have the similarity to the great apocalypse narrated in the book of Revelation.
The word apocalypse means unveiling or revelation. Apocalyptic literature usually reflects a strong dualism: good against evil. Apocalyptic literature usually comes during the time of difficulties in order to proclaim a message of hope. It is mostly done in a coded language (like numbers, colors, animals etc.). It gives a hope for the faithful who are suffering or persecuted for their faith in the Lord, but they will surely receive a reward at the end.
Thus the second last Sunday of the liturgical year reminds us of the tribulation (difficulties
in life) but we are reminded of the final victory is always of the Lord. All will pass away
but my words will not, says Jesus. So hold on to your faith till the second coming of the
Lord.
First Reading is taken from the book of Prophet Daniel. The book of Daniel has twelve chapters and it could be divided into two parts. Part one includes chapters 1-6: it tells of the faith of the Jews particularly of Daniel and his three companions in the court of the foreign king in the land of Babylon (exile) and the second part: chapter 7-12 includes the apocalyptic literature. It tells of the hardship the faithful will face after prophet Daniel and Jews of his time. Each of the vision narrates and gives us the assurance that the victory will be of God. The last chapter in the book of the prophet Daniel gives the assurance that at that time Michael (archangel) will rise to protect your people. There will be resurrection: some for eternal life or some for eternal disgrace. Those who lead a just life will shine eternally. A message is, “be faithful to your God in all situations”.
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Gospel Reading
The chapter 13 begins with the foretelling of the destruction of the temple. The temple
of Jerusalem is the center of worship for the Jewish people. But this temple will be destroyed and henceforth the center of the worship will be Son of Man- Jesus. The disciple of Jesus asked him, “when these will happen and what are the signs that all these things will be accomplished? Jesus starts to explain with a lengthy discourse with signs. v.6: false messiahs and false prophets. v.7 wars and rumors of wars, v.8 earthquakes and famines, v.9 persecution, v.12 betrayal by family members, v.14 the abomination of desolations, v.24 darkening of the sun and moon and v. 25 the falling of the stars. The point is very clear that the destruction of the temple may take place but keep your faith in the son of man- who is the center of the worship, “destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up”.
This Gospel of Mark was written to the persecuting Christians. The Christians are assured through the parable of the fig tree which blossoms (v.28)- a hopeful sign which indicates that after the winter season it will be alive. A sign for the faithful after the death and resurrection of Jesus there will be a new life.
The Gospel acclamation is taken from the Gospel of Luke but it is like the continuation
of chapter 13 v. 33 from Mark. We are invited to be spiritually alert by being Vigilant at
all times and by praying.
Second Reading
It speaks about the spirituality of the High Priest and his duties in the temple. His duties to offer prayers and sacrifices. Now Jesus the new high priest offers the one and only sacrifice of himself and pays the ransom by his own blood to save the people from the evil one.
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Some points to ponder:
1. The penultimate Sunday of the liturgical year 2024 reminds us of the final tribulation.
2. The final victory is of God over the evil, which is already accomplished through Jesus Christ.
3. There is a resurrection of the dead.
4. The faithful must be firm in their faith till the end.
5. The means to be spiritually alert by being vigilant and in pray. The Holy Eucharist is the source of nourishment through Word and Sacred body of Christ.
6. God has given his spiritual guardian ( Michael archangel and guardian angles ) to protect his faithful.
A Sermon starter:
St. Dominic Savio died at the age of fourteen. He was only a 12 years old schoolboy
when he first met his mentor, St John Bosco. In his biography of Dominic, Don Bosco
preserves a wonderful episode. One day, when Dominic was playing football with the other
boys, Don Bosco asked him, ‘What would you do if you had only one hour left to live?’ St
Dominic Savio, replied, ‘I would continue playing football.’
Do your duties in a just manner: live your faith, prayer, studies, work, communication,
relationships, charity etc. as best as possible.
By Fr. Marcus Fernandes, OFM.Cap
At the Cathedral of Our Lady of Arabia- Awali- Bahrain.
17th November 2024.