Sunday, November 24, 2024

Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

(Daniel 7:13-14; Revelation 1:5-8; John 18:33-37)

The Gospel today comes from one of the most dramatic scenes in all four Gospels. Jesus, the liberator of Nazareth, faces Pontius Pilate, the shrewd Roman governor. There are several confrontations in this Gospel according to Saint John. As in the cases of Nicodemus, the Samaritan woman, and the man born blind, it is not just a battle of wits between two characters. The encounter also involves us.

Today’s passage begins with Pilate questioning Jesus. He has just spoken with the Jews in the darkness of the early morning outside the praetorium. They want Pilate to have Jesus executed. Now he goes back inside, where the Light of the World awaits him for judgment. But who is judging whom? In a real sense, Pilate—not Jesus—is being tried. Like Pilate, we should consult Jesus in our trials.

As he told his disciples at the Last Supper, Jesus is our friend with the wisdom to help us act rightly. In the Gospel, Pilate asks Jesus if he is “the king of the Jews.” He wants to know if Jesus has the power to disrupt the peace of Palestine, as the Jews claim. Or is it that the Jews have a grievance with Jesus and want him removed?

Jesus engages Pilate in conversation. He returns the question: “Do you ask this on your own, or have others told you about me?” He wants Pilate to truly know who he is speaking to. Jesus has left us the Gospels so that we may come to know Him and His offer to us.

The Gospels have told us that Jesus is the Son of God, who has come to give us eternal life. The question is whether we believe this and accept his offer.  Pilate seems to be interested in Jesus. He asks what He has done to raise the ire of the Jews.

Jesus clarifies the issue of His claim to be king. He indicates that it is true He is a king, but of a different kind than the ones of the world. He has no armies or luxuries, but something far more valuable: the truth about life. Thus, Jesus presents to us the fundamental choice of life. Do we want to seek the power, prestige, wealth, and pleasure that the kings of this world have? Or do we want the love and peace that characterize God, the King?

I hope that we, gathered here for Mass, would want to follow King God! But we know that the road is full of obstacles, especially as we feel the euphoria of having a little power or pleasure. In the Gospel, Jesus has made Pilate admit that He is King. Now Pilate must decide. Will he honor God, the King, by making a true verdict and releasing Jesus, His Son? Or will he continue to seek power and prestige, the raiment of earthly kings, as his life’s goals?

Jesus confirms that He has come to bear witness to the truth of eternal life: love and peace. He says that, if a person is of the truth, they will recognize His voice and follow Him. At the end of the year, we must confirm our choice for Jesus. Once again, we have heard His story, this year mainly through the Gospels of Saint Mark and Saint John. Can we say without reservation that Jesus is the supreme King, whom we seek with all our being? Or do we continue to live with fortune and pleasure as our goals? May we not be late or reluctant in deciding for Jesus!

Friday, November 22, 2024

Memorial of Saint Cecilia, virgin and martyr

(Revelation 10:8-11; Luke 19: 45-48)

In today’s first reading the seer John is told to eat the scroll that tells of the future.  When he does, it sweetens his tongue but sours his stomach.  What could the scroll say other than prophesy about a war that is about to take place?

Wars begin with the call to glory.  Young men are puffed up with ambition.  They enjoy for a while the fanfare which people bountifully bestow.  Soon enough, however, the reality of soldiering will erase the glamor of war from their minds.  The arduous waiting, the fear of dying, the reality of being hurt and seeing companions die, all create a very bitter experience.

We should not look for war.  At times it may be necessary to defend goodness.  Still going into battle is not to be celebrated.  Rather it should occasion penance and prayer.  Penance prepares the soldier for death, and prayer commends him or her to God’s mercy.

Thursday, November 21, 2024

Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

(Revelation 5:1-11; Luke 19:41-44)

The word revelation comes from the Latin word revelatio which translates the Greek word apocalypse.  Revelation is a lifting of the screen (in Latin, vela) of the future so that what will happen becomes known now. In the drama of today’s passage from the Book of Revelation the scroll in God’s hand contains the story of the future.  Only Jesus, the lamb that was slain for the forgiveness, is worthy of receiving the key to the future.

The revelation of the scroll will be given in the following sections of the book.  It will tell how evil is to be vanquished and how in the end the earth will be renewed with heaven compenetrating it. The passage itself ends with the heavenly assembly now worshipping the Lamb just as it had just worshipped God sitting on the throne.

Ther Book of Revelation is obviously obscure.  It should not be read, however, as a treasure hunt to find details about the end of time.  Rather we should think of it as a testimony of hope giving reason to keep faith in the Lord Jesus.

 

Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Wednesday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time

(Revelation 4:1-11; Luke 19:11-28)

Today’s first reading from the Book of Revelation describes the heavenly liturgy.  Above all sits God Almighty whose indescribable presence is represented by flashes of colored light.  The meaning of the twenty-four thrones and twenty-fours elders remains obscure.  They may be considered saints from churches the world over praising God. The four creatures, who in later Christian tradition represent the four evangelists, are better said to signify the best of creation: the lion is the noblest beast; the calf, the strongest; the man, the most intelligent; and the eagle, the swiftest.

Christian liturgy participates in its celestial correlative.  Hence, the words of the “Sanctus” at mass are heard: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God of almighty … “ In imitation of the Gloria at Mass, the elders worship: “Worthy are you, Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power”.

We likely ask ourselves whether this is all there is to eternal life and whether we want to be part of it.  Before answering “no,” we should consider that heaven lies outside of time.  It is eternal.  Beyond worship, which is wonderful, there is the rejoicing with good friends and the wonder of meeting the Lord Jesus, face-to-face.

Tuesday, Noverber 19, 2024

 

Tuesday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time

(Revelation 3:1-6.14-22; Luke 19:1-10)

Today’s first reading is part of the seven prophetic messages Christ has for his followers in the Book of Revelation.  The harsh language is not meant to condemn but to correct and convert Christians whose faith has begun to lag.  The seven churches addressed in the messages lie in the region surrounding Ephesus.  They represent the universal Church - seven being the symbol of fullness.

The church at Sardis is given a mixed grade.  Although a few people there have continued to live as Christians doing good works and worshipping the Lord, others have faltered.  The church at Laodicea is said to be “lukewarm” which means not good at all. The reference is a metaphor comparing the quality of water in Laodicea to those of neighboring cities.  It is neither hot like the medicinal hot springs of Hierapolis nor cold like the pure water of Colossae.

Today we don’t accept threatening messages well.  Some like to think that God, being all-loving, would not condemn anyone.  Others, comparing themselves downwards with thieves and murderers, don’t see themselves as doing badly.  We forget that Christ came to make us saints which requires our relentless cooperation.