The focus of Jesus in today’s gospel is on the final events of the world and His future coming. The images of the sun, moon, and stars symbolize the distress of the world when the forces of evil are at work. The image of the victorious Son of Man refers to the future coming of Jesus. He will bring the final victory after the period of calamity and chaos. Jesus assured His followers He would soon experience suffering followed by resurrection, they would also experience suffering as they underwent the period of trial that would precede the victory of goodness. These apocalyptic images are meant to reassure God’s people in time of trial and persecution of God’s eventual victory.
Jesus teaches us that suffering is part of the Christian life. But it is a suffering that is only temporary; it leads to a share in Christ’s glory. If we are faithful to Christ through periods of trial, we will share in the victory He will bring about.
Jesus also teaches us that there is no way to predict when the end of the world will happen. War, destruction and persecution are preliminary signs of the end, but they do not mark the time of the end itself. Therefore the attitude that all Christians must have is vigilance, alertness, and watchfulness. We should live as if Christ might return at any moment and ask us to account for what we have done with our lives.
God Bless,
Msgr. Powell