READING 1:
Daniel 12:1-3
READING 2: Hebrews 10: 11-14, 18 GOSPEL: Mark 13: 24 -32
After celebrating the morning Mass at St. Thomas the Apostle, Homosassa, Fr. David Banks returned to the sacristy, and died of a massive heart attack on Thursday, November 9, 2006 . He was 59 years old. But of that day or hour, no one knows… Diane Wolinski, the choir director at San Juan del Rio parish in Jacksonville , went to the copy machine and didn’t come back. They found her on the floor by the machine dead. Diane was 50. But of that day or hour, no one knows… Gordon George didn’t feel good and went to the doctor in July. He died of renal cancer on his 44 th birthday last week. But of that day or hour, no one knows… Five young men, ages 19 to 25, died in a fiery automobile accident. They were on their way home from work. Have you ever been traveling on one of the back roads around Gainesville and gotten behind a string of slower moving cars? Did you pass them or just stay in the line and go slow? These guys tried to pass and hit a dump truck head on. But of that day or hour, no one knows… My friends, I could go on and on and so could you if you thought about your own family a moment. These deaths happened in the past ten days. I am not trying to bum you out or be depressing, reality just is. This is why these readings from the Book of Daniel and the Gospel of Mark were proclaimed today. There is a book called Ursula Under that uncovers the particular ancestral story of a young seemingly very ordinary girl. As each receding generation is introduced, we see just how amazing it is that this unique person ever came to be, and what a splendid, unguessed-at story she carries within her, ranging across the world and through all kinds and classes. What is true for Ursula is true for every person. The trail through generation upon generation, decade upon decade, century upon century, millennium upon millennium to our becoming who and how and where we are is mind-blowing. We have been uniquely and lovingly crafted not just through our own short years, but through eons of human joys and sorrows. Yes, yes, this world will end for every one of us and we do not know the day or the hour. We miss those who have gone ahead into the world to come; and we have some questions as to why so young or so suddenly or conversely so old or having suffered so much; but our faith gives us confidence. We are spectacular individuals; e ach of us has indeed been individually hand woven by our loving Creator. Such treasure is never dispensable. Jesus says, “I have not lost any of those that the Father has given me.” [John 18:9]! We belong to Christ; when the end of this world comes for us it will be good news for us.Fr. Jeff McGowan |
