HOMILY FOR THE 33RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B.

Daniel 12:1-3; Psalm 16:5.8-11. R/ v.1; Hebrews 10:11-14.18; Mark 13:24-32.

“JUDGEMENT DAY: A DAY OF RECKONING”

By: Rev. Fr. Charles Onyeka Ezejide.

·       Today technically is the last ordinary Sunday of the liturgical year since next Sunday is the solemnity of Christ the King. The solemnity of Christ the King marks the end of the church’s liturgical year. Hence, today’s Sunday is the last of ordinary Sundays.

·       It is not surprising then that our readings today employ apocalyptic imageries and illustrations to buttress the reality of judgment day. These apocalyptic imageries as we have seen in our readings send cold shivers down our spines. But its primary purpose is to inspire holy fear and to remind us of the urgency of conversion.

·       Therefore, today’s liturgy calls for serious stock-taking on how we have fared spiritually through the liturgical year, and how well we have made use of the opportunities given to us for spiritual growth and advancements. Our relationship with God and neighbour matter, because judgment day is indeed a day of reckoning – when all will be expected to give an account of their stewardship whether young or old, rich, or poor, black, or white, tall, or short.

·       The first reading (Daniel 12:1-13), shows forth Saint Michael the great prince of heaven and defender of the children of God rising to defend the righteous (Children of God) from the great and frightening tumult of the last day (judgment day). A great day of fear and tribulation but those who have kept faith with the commandments of God (those whose names are found in the book of life) need not tremble; while the unrighteous whose names are missing will be put to shame, disgraced, and cast to damnation. What stands out is that virtue is rewarded while vice is severely punished. “the learned will shine as brightly as the vault of heaven, and those who have instructed many in virtue, as bright as stars for all eternity” (Dan. 12:13).

·       The gospel reading (Mark 13:24-32), continues also in that light, using the parable of the fig tree to point out clearly that the day of reckoning is at hand. One thing stands out: Will judgment day come? Yes! When and how? We do not know!

·       While the first reaction to these readings and citations is that of fear and trembling,  itis not the Christian way of doing things because “the soul of the just are in the hands of the Lord and no torment of death shall touch them” (Wis. 3:1).

·       Christianity is a vocation, it is a lifestyle, it should be our distinctive character. And if we live and practice it, then we need not fear because we are expected to be 24hrs Christians, obeying and keeping the commandments of God. Therefore, judgment day should not take us unaware, it should not make us tremble, and rather we should look forward to it with a lot of excitement and expectation when our good virtues and hard work will be rewarded.

·       Dear friends in Christ, today’s liturgy recalls also the four last things: death, judgment, heaven, or hell. We need not worry like unbelievers; all we need is to keep being the Christian that we are called to be. And like the Psalmist, “Keep the Lord ever in my sight: since he is at my right hand, I shall stand firm” (Ps. 15:8).

·       The expectation of the coming of the king of glory to judge the living and dead-on judgment day could be likened to fears that gripped me and my siblings as growing children, when we did things unbecoming of us and when my mum want to set us at the edge she will simply say “wait until your father returns home”. That wait for the return of my father comes with a lot of fear and personal stock-taking, and the formation of excuses (most of which are lies) to escape the wrath of my dad. Waiting for dad seemed like eternity, we were unsettled and troubled.

·       If we feared our earthly parents with so much respect and reverence not wanting to be found wanting, trying to be always at our best, how much more our father who is heaven? The judge of the universe, who will reward virtue and punish vice.

·       The day of reckoning is not to be greeted with or prepared for with fear for a good Christian, but with excitement and joyful hope. So, today we must ask ourselves some important questions like: am I prepared for the judgment day? How are my actions and inactions preparing me for the day of reckoning? How will that day be?

·       Child of God do not be troubled, the Lord is coming to reward you. Stand up, hold your heads high up, for the day of your vindication is at hand no matter the persecution and difficulty, trials, and setbacks to lure you into sin.

·      Instead, let us look at the message as a warning, an encouragement, and good news for all of us. It is a warning against complacency and wayward life. Like children being warned by their mother, “Wait till your father comes,” also we are warned that Jesus will come again as the Eternal Judge. Now is the time to make our paths straight, and to do everything right. 

·      Though it could be terrifying to the guilty, it is actually an encouragement to those who are suffering and who struggle and persevere to live as faithful followers of Jesus. Their sufferings and sacrifices are not in vain for they are assured that the Lord will reward them for their fidelity and loving service. 

·      It is good news because the coming of the Lord will mean final victory for us against evil, the restoration of peace, order, and justice, and the full reign of God in this world. Instead of being ominous portents, these are signs of our forthcoming glorious victory. Jesus said: “When these things begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand” (Lk 21:28).

·      The end will come, and that’s for sure. We will all die, and that’s for sure. The best way to prepare for death is to live fully. The best way to prepare for the end is to begin taking the right path to salvation. After all, based on the Gospel, it is clear that the end is also the beginning of something more glorious and perfect, the coming of the kingdom of God in our midst. That is what we say to our heavenly Father in the Lord’s Prayer: “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.”

·      Happy Sunday!!!