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The Church traditionally directs our attention to what we call the “end of things” or end of of history as the liturgical year is about to end. Thus the readings from OT and the gospel are from what is called the eschatological discourse. In the gospel of Mark (13:24-32) Jesus talks about the parousia (vv24-27) or his second coming and about the time of its arrival (vv28-32).
Mark mentions about the ‘elect’
(v20), ‘eklektos’ ( ἐκλεκτος ), in his characteristic device of tautology, a repetition to strengthen his point: “for the sake of the elect whom he chose“; (also “shorten the days…did shorten the days”; and in v19: “has not been since the beginning of God’s creation…nor ever will be”). Here the evangelist affirms that at the end of times there will be a great tribulation, echoing prophet Daniel (ch.12), which will bring about the resurrection and vindication of the righteous people of Israel (vv1-3, ‘whose names are written in the book’). This passage is important because it is the first clear statement on final resurrection and eternal life found in the Hebrew Scriptures. Applying this passage of Daniel where it was Yahweh who presided these final events, Mark directly related it to the dominion of Christ, who is the Son of Man himself who will gather the ‘elect’ (Mk 13:26-27). Another aspect about it is the assumption that God worked out a timetable for this end-time event (Dn 12:7,11,12) which the L
ord will cut short those days of trial as an act of divine mercy on behalf of the elect.
Who, then, are the elect? They would be the members of the Christian community whose ‘election’ is the result of God’s favor or grace, not their own merits (cf Lk 2:14c). And when will it occur, it’s exact time cannot be specified as to month and day. Even Jesus himself claims ignorance of the time of the parousia.
Both Daniel and Mark’s accounts of Jesus’ end-time discourse direct our attention to the end of history. They may differ in perspectives but both cases scenario centers on the fact that we are all destined to meet the Lord at sometime, and preparedness is very much in order. The important thing about it is the fact that Jesus remains the Lord of history regardless of when he returns . He will bring about a new world order based on justice and equity. God will ultimately triumph. And the final word will be his. Maranatha!
