Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

There is a huge contrast between the experience of God in the First Reading, from the Book of Genesis, and that of the Second, from the Letter of Paul to the Ephesians. In the the former there is shame, dispossession and conflict while in the latter there is spiritual blessing, adoption as children and an inheritance into the life of grace. How can such a change be possible? 

The answer of course is the Incarnation. We need, however, to see how all of the readings for the day speak of God's plan. From the moment of the downfall of human nature the initiative of God to restore humanity began: "...he will strike your head and you will strike his heel." (Gen 3: 15) This prophecy foretells that the human race would be freed from sin by one of its own. The protoevangelium, therefore, prophesies a new Eve. Mary, born like the first Eve without sin was unlike her predecessor as she was obedient to what God asked of her and therefore untied the know of disobedience that held us captive: "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word." (Lk 1: 38) 

2nd Sunday of Advent

"Bear fruit worthy of repentance. Do not presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our ancestor'." (Mtt 3: 8-9) How often do we commit the sin of presumption? We find any reason to excuse ourselves or blithely continue in our sinful ways taking God's love and mercy for granted? Advent is a season of repentance. We have an opportunity to take stock of the state of our relationships and spiritual condition. The more we respond to this challenge the greater our appreciation and experience of the joy in the Incarnation will be. The spiritual exercises  we undertake assist in opening us up to God rather than in some way changing God's attitude towards us. If we take him for granted the loss is ours. St John the Baptist states: "He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." (Mtt 3: 11) The question is had I opened myself up to the Holy Spirit and let his power  heal, integrate and revive my life or have I let the coals of faith grow cold?

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)

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

When it comes to the confrontation between martyrs and their persecutors the ultimate questions about the meaning of life are all too real. The persecutor cannot imagine any life other than the present and is amazed that his or her victim can be so foolish. Yet, for the martyr, the only life worth having is that which is in Christ. Without it this earthly existence losing meaning therefore to deny Christ is to die, whereas, to hold firm to him, even in physical death, is life. The young man in the First Reading today states: "One cannot but choose to die at the hands of mortals and to cherish the hope God gives of being raised again by him." (2 Macc 9: 14) St Justin Martyr, at his trial put it this way: "We hope to suffer torment for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ, and so be saved. For this will bring us salvation and confidence as we stand before the more terrible and universal judgement-seat of our Lord and Saviour." The challenge for us, in New Zealand, is that despite being free from such persecution we face the same challenge - do we value our present earthly life more than we value our life in Christ Jesus? How do we manifest our choice for Christ in our everyday life? If there was a persecution in progress and we were to be brought before a court and accused of being a Christian would there be enough evidence for a guilty verdict?

31st Sunday in Ordinary Time

The gospel for today about the tax collector Zacchaeus is one of the most frequently used for the celebration for First Reconciliation. Can you remember that occasion? Most people remember their First Communion but I suspect many do not recall their first sacramental experience of God's mercy. Just as First Communion is intended to be the first of many so it is with reconciliation which, as a sacrament of healing, is the principal way for us to reaffirm and have strengthened by grace, my baptismal covenant with God. The effects of sin and evil fragment, destroy and isolate individuals leading to terrible consequences for family and community life. We all need to be healed as individuals so as to actively and joyfully participate in the life of the whole. In the case of Zacchaeus the alienation from the crowd which follows Jesus is apparent. Despite this, or because of it, Jesus looking up at him says: "... hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house to day." (Lk 19: 5) Sitting in the pew today can I hear the call of Jesus to me? Each of us needs to encounter the Lord not just in the Mass but also to welcome him into our homes so as to dwell in my house throughout the coming week. Having Jesus as a companion in my everyday life through prayer, reflection and Scripture reading is a wonderful privilege and is available to each of us if we can overcome our pride and self-sufficiency. Then we too will hear the words: Today salvation has come to this house... For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost." (Lk 19: 9-10)