Scripture readings, reflection

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By Fr. Andrew Kelly
33RD SUNDAY ORDINAL TIME – NOV. 18
This Sunday the community will bid a fond farewell to Mark as its 2012 teacher. The community hopefully has a clearer understanding of what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ.
Next Sunday, John will be the teacher. On the First Sunday of Advent, Luke takes over as the community’s 2013 teacher.
Mark’s last lesson (Mark 13:24-32) is about the end time when Christ will come again in full power and glory. Mark uses all sorts of vivid images and language from the Hebrew writings (Old Testament) that certainly can be scary and catastrophic.
Mark does not want to scare, but wants to stir up persistent living faith within the community.
No matter how bad and catastrophic life may be on any given day, let alone on the last day, Mark has a message that makes sense only if one is a believing follower of Jesus Christ.
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”
If day in and day out, Mark’s message of Jesus permanent presence both anchors and fills the community with hope, Mark has truly done an excellent job in 2012 of teaching the community the ways of the Lord.
(Father Andrew Kelly is a retired priest of the Diocese of Davenport.)

Scripture Readings for Nov. 18-25
Sunday
Dn 12:1-3
Heb 10:11-14, 18
Mk 13:24-32
Monday
Rv 1:1-4; 2:1-5
Lk 18:35-43
Tuesday
Rv 3:1-6, 14-22
Lk 19:1-10
Wednesday
Rv 4:1-11
Lk 19:11-28
Thursday
Mass During the Day
Rv 5:1-10
Lk 19:41-44
Thanksgiving Day Mass
Sir 50:22-24
1 Cor 1:3-9
Lk 17:11-19
Friday
Rv 10:8-11
Lk 19:45-48
Saturday
Rv 11:4-12
Lk 20:27-40
Sunday
Dn 7:13-14
Rv 1:5-8
Jn 18:33b-37


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