Sunday Gospel Comment

 

Alberic Jacovone OSB

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YEAR B

THIRTY-THIRD SUNDAY OF THE YEAR - 16.11.03

Dan 12,1-3; Hb 10,11-14.18; Mk 13,24-32

Beyond our Dreams

World shattering events affect us deeply, moving us to the depth of our being: we react with amazement, experience great energy, expand our imagination beyond all thresholds, come up with unprecedented creativity, get fired beyond our wildest dreams, are caught in a sense of wonder never felt before. Then we also become invested with true prophetic spirit, and dare look into the future, as it unfolds -never sure- but always possible. Then we become inspired, make great comments and come in touch with the sacred with its fascinating and frightful pull (Mysterium tremendum et fascinans). These events become indelibly branded onto our memory, never to be forgotten. Events like: WW2, Hiroshima the 11th hour of 11th month - Remembrance Day, or Moon-walk Day, or Whitlam's dismissal? (to mention a few), make us recall the spot where we were on that occasion.

The Bible calls these events: Day of the Lord
The Bible (including Mark's Gospel) has a lot to say about this type of apocalyptic and messianic literature. When the dreadful Day of the Lord comes, how are you to cope? Do not be caught unaware. Instead, reflect that even then God¹s loving design is unfolding. And when sudden changes sweep you into the save of history, and make you feel that the foundations of our world are shaking, do not go into shock, nor be influenced by those who say: the end has come. Instead, you may be witnessing a new dawn, and no matter how shattering or cataclysmic this Day is, it offers the choice: to avoid doom & gloom and to welcome new horizons. The enormously successful rock opera Les Mis has captured the logic and power of apocalyptic literature in its lyrics: Beyond the barricades, is there a world you long to see? Do you hear the distant drums? It's the future that they bring: tomorrow comes. 

Mark's world shattering events. Jesus lived at a time of great ferment, no one could tolerate the Roman Empire & its taxes. against such a powerful enemy, the Jews were divided into four parties: the Zealots pushing for open revolt, the Herodians insisting on collaboration with the enemy, the Essenes who with drew in the wilderness, the Pharisees who cautioned passive acquiescence. Knowing that the Temple had become a centre of anti-roman plotting, it wasn¹t difficult to foresee how fanatical Jews installed a revolution and the Romans repressed it in blood & revenge. Around year 30AD, Jesus foretold that not a stone upon a stone¹ would be left of the Temple. And the Talmud tells us that around the same time Rabbi Johannan ben Zakkay predicted the same destruction. Such a disaster seemed inevitable, every time a charismatic freedom-fighter claimed to be the Messiah, arose wild anti-Roman hatred and was ruthlessly executed. The Roman Governors of the time (Pilate, petroius, Felix, Festus, Albinus, Florus) were corrupt and exploitative, while the Emperors in Rome (Claudius, Nero, Caligula and Vespasian) kept a policy of merciless suppression. The 1st Jewish War began in 66AD: when the armed Zealots blocked the Antonia Fortress & occupied the Temple (the Bastille day of old?), the Roman army captured Judea (Judaea Capta), destroyed the Temple and put an end to all Jewish longings for freedom. Faced with this enormous tragedy, Mark and the early Christians remembered the prophecy of Jesus, accepted His warnings about dangers and difficulties ahead, became even more convinced that even this catastrophe was a sign and an invitation leading to a new civilization: in Christ and for all Nations.
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