33^rd Sunday in Ordinary Time [B]
November 17, 2024
Mark 13:24-32

When someone asks if we want to go to heaven, we quickly say, “Yes!” But if asked if we want to become saints, our enthusiasm often fades. This is surprising because everyone in heaven is a saint. To be a saint means to be in heaven. So why do we separate the idea of heaven from being a saint?

At least, there are three reasons:

1. Misunderstanding the Catholic Faith: Some of us may not fully understand our faith. We might think there are two groups in heaven: well-known saints like the Blessed Mother, St. Joseph, St. Dominic, and St. Francis, and a second group of non-saints. We assume saints are only those who have been officially recognized and celebrated with feast days. But this is not true. All people in heaven are saints, even if we don’t know their names. That’s why we celebrate All Saints’ Day, honoring every person who by God’s grace has reached heaven. One of those saints could be a relative or ancestor!
2. Thinking It’s Too Hard to Be a Saint: We read stories about saints and feel like we could never be as good as them. Saints seem perfect—extremely lovely, always praying, and some even performed miracles. And martyrs faced painful deaths for their faith. This level of holiness feels impossible for us because we are aware of our weaknesses and sins. But here’s the truth: saints didn’t become holy by their efforts alone; they depended on God’s grace. They were imperfect humans, like all of us, who allowed God’s love to transform them.
3. Fear of Death: We might think that becoming a saint means we must die first, and we do not want to die! However, not all death is physical and biological. We need to die also to ourselves. This means letting go of worldly attachments and sinful desires.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks about His return in glory and the signs that will come before it—darkened skies, a dim moon, and falling stars. This can mean the end of an era or even the end of the world. Yet, this can also tell us a deeper lesson: the world we know is temporary, destructible, and if we cling too tightly to it, we will lose everything. We need to choose: will we die to this world and live for God, or die with this world, and losing God.

We ask God to help us dying to ourselves, letting go of the world, and live more for Christ. Then, whenever Jesus comes, we will be ready to stand before Him, truly alive, just like the saints in heaven.

Rome

Valentinus B. Ruseno, OP

Questions for Reflection:

What do we think heaven is like? How do we view the saints and their roles in our lives? Do we want to become saints, or are we too attached to the world? What are the things we cling to in this life? How are we preparing for Jesus’ coming?