Gospel Reflection

Mk 13:34-42

The whole of Chapter 13 in the Gospel of Mark is devoted to a discourse about the future. In the section preceding this week’s passage, Jesus has foretold the destruction of the Temple and the fall of Jerusalem. He has also predicted war on a massive scale and the persecution of his followers. Now, in this passage, Jesus predicts the return of the Son of Man and the fulfilment of the kingdom of God.

Why does the gospel include such an extended description of the collapse of the world as it was? Because that’s exactly what was going on around the community of this gospel writer! This gospel is understood to have been written somewhere in the period 70-75 CE. In the year 70 CE the city of Jerusalem was besieged by Roman troops who stormed the city and destroyed it. As a sign of complete disdain for the people of Jerusalem and a mark of overwhelming victory, the Romans burnt and completely destroyed the Temple in the heart of Jerusalem. For the entire Jewish community, this was absolute devastation. The destruction of the Temple surely marked the coming of the end times – the day of judgment and completion of this world. The community gathered around this gospel writer were no less affected. On top of this, the Roman Emperors were reaching new heights (or depths) in their persecution of the followers of Jesus.

In the midst of this despair and fear, the followers of Jesus are challenged to remember the teachings of the one they follow. This passage is written for them as an encouragement to not give up in the face of what appears to be overwhelming odds. It is a call to hope. Although we can understand the context in which it was originally written, we are also challenged to apply its message of hope and perseverance to our own lives.

Adapted from Greg Sunter

Remembrance Day

We will have an online Remembrance Day Ceremony this Thursday at 10:40am. Please feel welcome to join us via the link below.

https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_NzI0YTZkNzYtYjA3ZS00MjViLWJmN2ItMTAxZTRmOTQ5NjU5%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%229ba8c2d6-be27-4583-a686-5c6f5c4a9e97%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22c8107d94-5b53-4f96-b038-fb143e45f6d9%22%7d

Catholic Mission Socktober

This Friday November 12th we will be holding a socktober shootout to raise money for Catholic Mission. Students will participate in a soccer goal shoot-out competition with their class and will get to use a sock ball- a ball made from plastic bags, similar to the balls used by many children around the world. 

Students will be asked to donate money to participate in the shootout, which will raise money for early childhood education for children in Thailand. Donations can be made via the Qkr App. We thank you so much, for donating to this cause.

Steps to make a donation:

• Open the Qrk app
• Select Sts Peter and Paul
• Scroll down to ‘school payments’ and select
• Click on ‘payments’
• Select Socktober Shootout

Is a weekly online child-friendly reflection of the coming Sunday’s Gospel.

Sunday 14^th  November, 33^rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

http://www.prayingwithchildren.org/l1f315unsu3.html

 Blessings,

Fron Garrett

Religious Education Coordinator (Acting)