Archbishop's Homilies 2006

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Celebrated By Archbishop Denis Hart
at St Patrick's Cathedral, East Melbourne
on Sunday, 19th November, 2006 at 11.00am

Introduction

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today we look forward to the second coming of the Son of Man.  When will he come, will he save us?  When will he come, how will he come?

In the Mass we pray that we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Let us pray that he will transfigure us and find us ready, waiting, because heaven is our true home.

We are one with the candidates who have come to present themselves for Confirmation, that the Holy Spirit may be with them and with us as we call to mind our sins and celebrate this Mass.

Homily

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today’s Mass reminds us of the importance of faithfulness in serving God and of constancy as we realise that our world and life as we know it is coming to an end.  The Readings speak of “a time of great distress unparalleled since nations first came into existence.”  (Daniel)  The High Priest is waiting until his enemies are made into a footstool (Hebrews), and the Son of Man’s return will be preceded by days of tribulation when the sun will be darkened, the moon will lose its brightness, the stars will come falling from heaven, and the powers in heaven will be shaken.

These are fearful words because we realise that the world as we know it is coming to an end.  Tribulation and trial will precede the final coming because it takes powerful imagery and strong language to shake us enough to get us to make the necessary changes in our lives.

While I may not live to see the grand return of Jesus, as these Readings foretell, they do remind me that my life has limits.  I need to evaluate what I have done with my time and effort and, if necessary, to make the changes.

But we must also remember, in taking the challenge, that things will not remain as they are now.  The Son of Man will call those who believe in him to himself.  He will gather his chosen from the four winds and from the signs we will know that Jesus has come to save.  The challenge for us is the extent to which Jesus has his place in our lives.

The words of the Gospel Acclamation in Saint Luke, “Be watchful.  Pray constantly that you may be worthy to stand before the Son of Man”, (Luke 21:36) show us how important it is that prayer, word and deed come together to fulfil their promise in our life.  In the Communion Antiphon Our Lord even reassures us, “I tell you solemnly, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours.”  And the Refrain to the Psalm, “Keep me safe, O God, you are my hope”, are a reminder that despite the challenges, which move us to change our lives because we may not live much longer, we are reminded that God’s power will come to save us if we live in justice, hope and truth.

Is there a conformity between Jesus’ words and our actions?  Is his love united with our love to encircle our lives?  That is the challenge of today.

Now we welcome our candidates for Confirmation, who are seeking to live in every day life the challenge which this homily presents:  to be temples of the Holy Spirit; to receive his gifts of wisdom, understanding, right judgement, knowledge, courage, reverence and wonder and awe, and to know that the Holy Spirit is with them at every moment.

+ Denis J. Hart,
Archbishop of Melbourne.