Dt 12:1-3; Ps 15 (16); Heb 10:11-14.18; Mk 13:24-32

Christ – according to the letter to the Jews – «stands always at the right of God» and «by a single offering has made perfect forever those who are sanctified». With this confidence we can play our part in history, even when we encounter trials and tribulations to which Jesus alludes in the eschatological discourse, or the time of anguish evoked by Daniel. In fact, beyond offering us a glimpse of the last times, Mark suggests us how to live in the time that is entrusted to us, in which “Heaven and earth will pass away”, also in the sense that everything in history passes, and is consumed. We cannot know the day or the hour of the end; no one knows them, except the Father. We must instead know the time we live, in which the words of the Lord do not pass. Jesus, therefore, invites us to live the present hour by keeping his word that remains, and is thus able to illuminate, give meaning to and help us discern, in history. If we keep his word, we will know how to live the present, recognizing that even today “he is near, is at the Gates”, and this closeness makes fruitful our existence, like the fig tree, whose branch grows tender and brings forth leaves, prophecy of new life.

Commentary by Comunità di Dumenza

Translation by f. Mark Hargreaves, Prinknash Abbey