Bishop Barron’s Gospel Reflection

Mark 13:24-32

Friends, our Gospel for today features apocalyptic musings. Recall that “apocalypse” means unveiling, a revelation. And Jesus uses, once again, the language from the seventh chapter of the prophet Daniel: “The powers in the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in the clouds’ with great power and glory.”

Daniel spoke of a succession of four kingdoms, which would be followed by the arrival of God’s definitive kingdom. This is the fulfillment of Nathan’s prophecy that a son of David would reign forever.

I realize how strange all of this can sound, but there is a spiritual point of enormous significance behind all of it. We should not trust in any of the powers of the world to give us security and peace. Such peace will come only with the arrival of God’s kingdom.

What you should look to is the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven. Now, is this meant in an ultimate sense? Yes, the Second Coming signals the end of the world as we know it. But the Son of Man is coming on the clouds of heaven even now, in the life of the Church.