Battling our Goliaths with Jesus in our Hearts

HOMILY: Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Mark 13:24-32

14 November 2021 

Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA

I saw this witty tweet last night as I was preparing this homily. Let me share it with you… When the Israelites saw Goliath, they said, “He’s so big, we’re doomed.” When David saw Goliath he said, “He’s too big, I can’t miss.” This brings out a very important lesson in dealing with the many challenges we have to face in life. Our experience tells us that when we know what we are up against, we definitely find ourselves in a better position to deal with it and to triumph over any adversity.  

If you think about it, Goliath could very well represent everything that we dread in life that proves to be a formidable foe in our struggle to be good Christians. In the gospel, this points to the end times — an era characterised by days of tribulation and cosmic disorder of great scope and intensity. We are afraid to talk about our own end, more so the total annihilation of the created world. “In those days after that tribulation the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.” (Mark 13:24-25) This same phenomenon is to take place, according to the prophecy of Daniel to occur before the birth of the new age of fulfilment. These horrific events are indeed bound to occur, as affirmed by Jesus Himself in a bold statement on the reliability of His words. “Heaven and earth, the world as it is known, will pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” (Mark 13:31)

Apocalyptic literature uses exaggerated imagery to emphasise the seriousness of the situation. This should not generate fear in us but rather instill David’s vigilance such that he does not miss the giant on his way and David’s readiness to face the Goliaths all throughout our faith lives.  We have no reason to mistrust the very words of Jesus. What is bound to happen is going to happen.  But the fact that Jesus has given us a heads up means we have the advantage, if we choose to use it. Since we know that these things are bound to take place, we have the opportunity to prepare for what is to come. (Alam na natin ang darating so pwede tayong mag-prepare.) I would like to believe that Jesus telling us, warning us about all these cataclysmic happenings is His way of helping us survive this crisis. Jesus most definitely wants us to succeed!!! Jesus wants us to be with Him forever in heaven so how can He want us to fail?  

A number of devotees here in St. Pio’s Shrine approach me after mass to be blessed or have their pens and pencils blessed before a board exam. Aside from prayers, we know that one has to study hard for an exam.  Preparation is key to lessening our fears and anxieties. When we take an exam, pag handa ka, di ka masyadong kabado. Pag di ka nag-aral o nag-cram ka, pagpapawisan ka talaga ng malamig. Hence, the message of the gospel is quite clear… “Be prepared! At all times be prepared for the coming tribulation; be prepared for the coming of the Son of Man. Be prepared!” Because we do not know the time when all these will come to pass.  By His life and His teachings, Jesus gives us tips and reviewers that will help us face the struggles we must endure. He has shown us what we must do so we need not fear the apocalypse. 

I think the most comforting idea of all is that we are lucky to have an ally who is formidable and way stronger than all the adversities we have to face in life. May malakas tayong kakampi. Jesus is in our corner! As St. Paul says: “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31) Jesus is rooting for us, always ready to help when we need Him.  It is up to us to call upon Him and allow Him to be part of our life as our guide, our friend, and our King.  Dapat lang talaga tawagin natin Siya.  It is not in God’s nature to force us to love Him or accept Him.  The invitation is always open, but we have to respond to it. 

Lastly, to live as Christians is to live in hope. All the readings state that good will eventually prevail over evil. In the last days the angelic warrior, Michael will rise up against all of God’s enemies.  Let us be inspired by the vision we are given in the epistle — of Christ seated triumphantly at the right hand of the Father with His enemies under His feet. Be strengthened by the gospel passage stating that “the Son of Man comes in the clouds with great power and glory”. These two images are apocalyptic; yet each of them invites us to be faithful, to trust and to remain hopeful because it speaks of no other than Jesus who continually tells us He loves us. If we strive to always be connected to Him, and to live in His love, how can that be a truly fearful sight? Would you not want to see your beloved approach?   

Let us not sugarcoat today’s gospel. And let’s not avoid the issue.  The time will come when God will build up His kingdom on earth. Before then, we shall find ourselves in constant battle with evil either within ourselves and our very own darkness. We also have to face up to our everyday temptations, or some disturbing major events such as socio-political upheavals and unrests. Even though at times it feels like evil is winning in the world, we have to persevere in the light of Jesus and simply trust that good will be able to triumph in the end. Should we be shaken or maybe concerned and worried about the dramatic turn of events that are occurring maybe at this very time in our lives or in some future time?   If we are faithful and true; if we are determined, why then should we be troubled, why should we be afraid? Let us just set our eyes and hearts on God and persevere.