November 17, 2024 – 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Things to talk about:

• When you think of heaven, what do you imagine it to be like?
• Have you ever thought about Jesus coming back to earth? Why or why not?
• What would it be like to see Jesus in all his power and glory?
• In this Gospel, Jesus helps us to prepare for changes we will experience in our lifetimes and at the end of time. Is change easy or hard for you?  Explain your answer.

Things to do:

• The Memorial Acclamation is said or sung after the priest says, “The mystery of faith.”  Which of these three options were used at Mass today?
• a) We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection, until you come again.
• b) When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again.
• c) Save us, Savior of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free.
• Make or send a card to the family of a person who recently died. (Email Joyce if you don’t see the name of the person who died in the bulletin.) Draw the Paschal candle and include some of Jesus’ words, “I am the resurrection and the life.” or “I will raise you up on the last day.” Pray for the family as they mourn the loss of a family member.
• Start a Thankful Turkey, read more

Closing Prayer

Pray together the Act of Faith –

O my God, I firmly believe that you are one God in three divine Persons,

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit;

I believe that your divine Son became man and died for our sins, and

that he will come to judge the living and the dead. Amen.

Name those who need our prayers.

Catholic Insights

No one knows when the Day of Judgment will be. Just as parents/adults give warnings about the consequences of actions, Jesus gives us a reminder that each day of our life counts. This Gospel invites us to consider Jesus’ predictions and teaching about the end of the world. In the context of Mark’s Gospel, Jesus’ words about this are spoken to his disciples as he prepares them for his passion and death. His words and images draw upon Old Testament imagery, especially images found in the Book of Daniel. On the last day, we will be judged based on how we lived our lives. We must live every day loving others as God loves us.

Next, Jesus tells the parable of the fig tree that teaches that if know how to read the signs, we can be prepared for the end times. Jesus also teaches, that no one knows when the end time will come, except the Father. Jesus’ words are not spoken to frighten his disciples, nor should they frighten us. They are offered to prepare us for the changes we will experience during our lifetimes and at the end times. Our hope is found in the lasting nature of Jesus’ words and God’s never-ending love for us.

---

Did you know… Catholics believe in bodily resurrection. When we pray the Nicene Creed, we say, “I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.”

Eschatology is the study of the end of the world, or the final events in human history. It’s also a term for the beliefs about the end of the world, death, and the destiny of humanity. The word comes from the Greek word eschatos, which means “last”.

Resources adapted from 52Sundays.com, Celebrating the Lectionary, At Home with the Word, Celebrating Families, Sunday Connection