BY SR HILDEGARD RYAN

Sunday, November 18th, 2012, is the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B.

Lectio:  Read the Gospel text from Mark 13:24-32.   Read it slowly and reflectively, and maybe a second time.  Try to read aloud rather than with the mind.  Listen to the text as you read.  Stand back from it and ponder.

Meditatio:  Some background to help us understand the text and respond to it.

The New Jerome Biblical Commentary notes:  “Verses 24-27 present the triumph of the Son of Man.  The O.T. language of cosmic signs, the Son of Man, and in gathering has been blended together in a new context in which the eschatological coming of Jesus as the Son of Man is the key event.  

His glorious arrival at the eschaton will be the final proof of God’s victory; expectation of it serves as the basis for the patient endurance recommended throughout this discourse.”  (41:87).

Verses 28-34 form part of the longer unit, 28-37, the exhortation to confidence and vigilance.

There is a parable (28-29). A saying about the time of the eschaton (30) A saying about Jesus’ authority (31) Another saying about the time (32)

Read the Gospel text again slowly with this background…

 I share my response in Evangelizatio No. 1.

1. I feel called to respond to the words: “passing of all things”.  “All things will pass away…” said Jesus.  “But my words will not pass away.”  I am looking honestly at the things which stress me, upset me, take my energies unnecessarily.  I know what Jesus means.  He means that the earth will pass, all created things will pass, and only His words will remain.  

His Words can be summed up in the one word, “Love”.    God is Love.  Love will never pass away, because it is of God.  All the other things: the way I insist that something is done, my stubbornness when it comes to change, my fidelity to certain outdated and outmoded customs – these will all pass.  

These are human inventions and human dynamics.  God is above such little dynamics.  God is Love.  At the end of my life I will be judged on Love.  And this week, I am taking seriously the call to “be watchful and pray constantly”, so that I may be worthy to stand before God when I am called home.

LECTIO DVINA IS ABOUT READING THE SACRED SCRIPTURES, REFLECTING ON THE SACRED SCRIPTURES, FROM AN INFORMED BACKGROUND.  IT IS ALLOWING THE HOLY SPIRIT TO PLAY ON THE FIBRES OF MY HEART, LIKE A HARPIST, AND BRING FORTH THE BEAUTY OF MY RESPONSE.  IN RESPONDING TO THE TEXT, MY LIFE IS CHANGED MORE AND MORE INTO CHRIST.

– Sr Hildegard Ryan OSB, Jamberoo Abbey