1st Sunday of Advent

The exhortation in the Gospel today is "keep awake!" (Mtt 13: 35 & 37) Despite Advent occurring at the start of the liturgical year, the emphasis of this Sunday is on the last things or the end times. Perhaps we should take the message on board. Rather than focusing on the seasonal celebrations and festivities, especially those influenced by consumerism, we should be alert to the changes in our families, parishes and societies which serve to undermine the Gospel message. Competing ideologies and heresies can creep into out midst or be absorbed into our bloodstream as we go about our daily business. I have found, on occasions, that I am brought up short when I read a book on doctrine or theology because I wake up to the fact that a heresy has become part of my intellectual furniture without my consciously knowing it. Being alert to our faith and he movement of grace prevents us from being complacent and can help us to discern how to serve God both in Advent and throughout Christmastide.

Solemnity of Christ the King

Christ, despite being born into a lowly family domiciled in Nazareth, is a king in two respects: first, as "... the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created" (Col 1: 15-16) and second, ruling from the throne of the cross from where he dispenses mercy by divine right: " 'Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise'." (Lk 23: 43) King, by virtue of his role in creation and his victory over sin and death, Christ reigns in a kingdom that has no end. The Book of Revelation puts it this way: "To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, and made a to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen." (Rev. 1: 5-6) Thus, we are all called to participate in his kingdom and submit ourselves to his rule. He will not impose his will like the tyrants of this world rather he knocks on the doors of our hearts waiting or us to respond in faith: "Listen! I am standing at the door knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me. To the one who conquers I will give a place with me on my throne, just as I myself conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne." (Rev. 3: 20-21) The question, however, remains as to how I have responded to the call of Christ? In what ways do I acknowledge his kingship? The first and best of these is to come to Mass to worship him and give thanks as he asked us to do: "This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." (1 Cor. 11: 24) The wonderful thing about this is that unlike the rulers of the world who demand tribute to enrich themselves it is through serving Christ that we receive super abundantly the riches of his grace, mercy and love.

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

The end of time has fascinated many people over the centuries. Some have even, with precision, named a day when the world will end and have acted on that to their detriment. The time of Jesus was no different. Jesus knew that many of his disciples were anticipating that the world would end in their own generation. After all, the greatest recent prophet, John the Baptist, baptized them to prepare a way for the coming of the Messiah who would judge all things with fire. Jesus, for his part, acknowledges that there will be many signs, wonders and dreadful portents. He even predicts betrayal within the church community that will come after his death and resurrection. He warns his followers not to put their trust in worldly possessions, no matter how spectacular they appear, including the Jewish Temple. Rather we are to let the Holy Spirit prompt us to give witness to the truth and our faith in him: "for I will give you words and wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict." (Lk 21: 15) The question for us is whether we have the kind of faith that will let Jesus deploy us as his witnesses? Will we fall away on account of scandal, suffering and doubt? What we require is endurance. We know that if we trust is Jesus he will be faithful to his promises: "But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls." (Lk 21: 18-19)