will be shaken. Then people will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power
and glory. And he will send the angels to gather his chosen people from the four winds, from
the ends ofthe earth to the ends of the sky. Learn a lesson from the fig tree. As soon as its
branches become tender and it begins to sprout leaves, you know that summer is near.
In the same way, when you see these things happening, know that the time is near, even at
the door. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all this has happened.
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. But, regarding that Day
and that Hour, no one knows when it will come, not even the angels, not even the Son, but
only the Father.

READ: Jesus was teaching about the coming of the Son of Man. There would be a disastrous
time when the sun would grow dark, the moon would not shed its light, the stars would fall
and the entire universe would be shaken. Then the people would see the Son of Man coming
in clouds with glory and great power. He would send his angels to gather the chosen people
from the four corners of the earth. Jesus taught them the lesson from the fig tree wherein
through its leaves the summer time could be predicted. Jesus cautioned his listeners to be
ready because the kingdom of God is near at hand. Nonetheless, no one knows when such
things will happen.

REFLECT: Aside from the apocalyptic books in the Bible (Daniel and Revelation), the Synoptic
Gospels contain the so-called “little apocalypse” (cf. Mk 13; Mt 24-25; Lk 21). Today’s Gospel
pericope (vv. 24-32) is found in the little apocalypse of Mark 13. Apocalyptic literature is often
perceived to be conveying a message about the end – understood as something terminal.
However, the apocalyptic tradition does not speak of the end but of the beginning of a new time
or period. With today’s apocalyptic message, the Lord is inviting us to enter into a new
relationship with him.

PRAY: Let us pray for the grace that we may be able to accept God’s offer of a new relationship
with him.

ACT: Let us think of one negative trait we want to change and practice changing it before the end of
the liturgical year.

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