Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Mass Readings

• First Reading Daniel 12:1-3
• Responsorial Psalm Psalm 16:5, 8, 9-10, 11
• Second Reading Hebrews 10:11-14, 18
• Gospel Mark 13:24-32

Open the Mass Readings on USCCB.org →

Step Into the Story

Daniel likely took its final form around 167 to 164 B.C., when the Seleucid king Antiochus IV banned the Jewish faith, burned Torah scrolls and set up a pagan altar in the Temple, the “abomination of desolation.” Into that terror comes one of the Old Testament’s clearest promises of resurrection: those who sleep in the dust shall awake, and the wise shall shine like the stars. Judas Maccabeus rededicated the Temple in 164 B.C.; within forty years of Jesus’ words, Titus burned it in 70 A.D.

1. 167 B.C.Antiochus defiles the Temple
2. 164 B.C.Judas Maccabeus rededicates the Temple
3. c. 20 B.C.Herod begins the Temple
4. 26 A.D.Pilate becomes prefect
5. This week’s scene: c. 30 A.D.Jesus foretells the end

Sit on the slopes of Olivet a few days before His death. The Temple, rebuilt by Herod, gleams across the valley. Around you stand fig trees, common on these slopes; the village of Bethphage nearby is named for its figs. It is spring, and their branches have gone soft and green, the new leaves just breaking out.

Reach up and feel a twig bend, tender and full of sap. Every farmer knows what that means: summer is near. Jesus is speaking of a darkened sun, falling stars and the Son of Man coming on the clouds. Stay among the four on the hillside, your hand on that green branch, and listen to the lesson of the fig tree.

Encounter the Lord

Sit with the disciples on the Mount of Olives, looking across at the gleaming Temple. Jesus speaks of the sun going dark and the Son of Man coming in glory. Everything that looks permanent will pass away.

These readings are not meant to frighten you but to wake you up. The world as we know it will end, and so will your own life. Jesus does not give a date; He gives a word that will never pass away. The question is not when, but whether you are ready. Hebrews reminds you that Christ’s one sacrifice has already won your salvation, and you receive it at every Mass. Daniel promises that the wise will shine like stars. Wisdom means living today in light of eternity.

Ask yourself this week: if Christ came today, what would I want to change? Then change one thing, and go to Confession if you need to.

Know Your Faith

The Last Judgment

The Last Judgment will come when Christ returns in glory. Only the Father knows the day and the hour (CCC 1038-1041). The Last Judgment will reveal that God’s justice triumphs and that His love is stronger than death (CCC 1040).

The One Sacrifice of Christ and the Eucharist

Christ offered one sacrifice for sins and has made perfect forever those who are sanctified (CCC 1085). The Eucharist makes present the one sacrifice of Christ the Savior (CCC 1330, 1364-1367).

Christ Will Come Again

Since the Ascension, Christ’s coming in glory has been imminent, though it is not for us to know the times or the seasons (CCC 673). Before His coming, the Church must pass through a final trial (CCC 675-677).

Vigilance

The message of the Last Judgment calls men to conversion while God gives them “the acceptable time” (CCC 1041). Jesus calls us to watchfulness (CCC 2612, 2849).