Sunday, November 21, 2021

 

The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

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

A tale about the French monarch Louis XIV shows a characteristic of earthly kings. One day two peasants found the king hunting in the field near their lands. One commented to the other that the king was not wearing gloves. The second replied that kings don't need gloves. He explained, “They always have their hands in people's pockets.” In the gospel Jesus testifies that he is not this kind of king. In fact, he says that his kingdom is not of this world.

This phrase does not mean that there are no features of Jesus’ kingdom here. It simply says that the righteousness of the kingdom of Jesus has not yet permeated the earth. The lack of the kingdom of Jesus is seen not only in the increasing number of homicides but also in the lies and disgusting comments found on the Internet. People often criticize each other there not with the intention of correcting but of destroying.

However, the peace of Jesus’ kingdom is found in the hearts of the righteous. A lovely priest shares freely brochures that he bought of the dialogue between Our Lady of Guadalupe and the indigenous Juan Diego. He intends to sow peace on earth by reminding everyone of God's mercy in sending our Lady.  We also hope that the spirit of Jesus’ kingdom has penetrated the walls of our homes. In one parish the priest claims that he has convinced a dozen families to pray the rosary together daily. It is certainly not just by saying the Lord's Prayer and Hail Mary that we find peace. But let us never doubt that such a practice continued for months and years brings countless blessings.

Jesus adds that he has come to "be a witness to the truth." He has in mind the truth of his kingdom. Yes, he says, there exists his realm of love despite the human experience of struggle and resentment. Jesus has come from on high to inform those of the truth that their hope for peace is not in vain. He said earlier in this Gospel of John that all of the truth hear his voice. Unfortunately, Pilate does not listen to him because he is not of the truth.

Hopefully, it is not so with us. May we be people of the truth believing in Jesus Christ and the destiny of life in its fullness that he has won for his followers. We show ourselves as people of truth by preparing this world for the coming of Jesus Christ. In a week we will be entering the Advent season. Among other objectives the purpose of Advent time is to prepare us for Christmas. People of the truth do so by much more than hurrying about buying gifts.  They regularly calm down to meditate on the mystery that will be celebrated. They also think about how they can support the less fortunate as Jesus has supported us with his coming.

In this world of struggle and resentment, some will say that we believers are not of the truth. They will raise the criticism that we believe in a myth. Debating with them would be as futile as banning the sale of turkey during Thanksgiving and Christmas. However, we can always show them that we are of the truth. We do this by praying together at home and at Mass. We also do it by telling the truth even when doing so costs us dearly. Finally, we show that we are people of truth by supporting the unfortunate. We want them also to have the hope of eternal life.

Friday, November 19, 2021

 Friday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time

(I Maccabees 4:36-37.52-59; Luke 19:45-48)

In all estimation the Jerusalem Temple, when it stood, was the center of Israel’s life.  It was twice constructed.  Solomon built a lovely structure in the tenth century B.C.  This building was destroyed by the Babylonians toward the beginning of the sixth century.  When the Israelis returned from captivity in Babylon fifty years later, they rebuilt the Temple.  This second structure was expanded by King Herod before Christ was born.  It stood less than a century more. The Romans, putting down a Jewish rebellion, almost obliterated it.  What is left, the west or “wailing wall,” remains a place of pilgrimage for Jews.

Both readings today focus on the holiness of the Temple.  In the first, the Maccabean brothers celebrate its rededication after being purified of desecration by Greeks and Jewish apostates.  Jesus symbolically does the same as he drives out merchants.  The Temple was holy because it contained the divine presence from the Scriptures stored in its inner chambers.

Christians do not have a single structure with the significance of the Jerusalem Temple.  The sacrifice of Christ to atone for the sins of all is re-presented in all churches which retain the apostolic succession.  Equally true, we see every baptized person as a kind of Temple.  At Baptism the person receives in his or her soul the Holy Spirit, who is God.  It is our sacred duty to keep the Temple of our soul pure and holy.

 

Thursday, November 18, 2021

Thursday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time

 (I Maccabees 2:15-29; Luke 19:41-44)

 Political cartoonist Bill Maudlin was able to capture the people’s imagination throughout the middle of the last century. His characterization of foot-soldiers Willie and Joe during World War II etched a trail of admiration in the American mind for the G.I.  However, a single cartoon drawn almost twenty years after the war ended had even greater impact.  After President Kennedy was assassinated, Mauldin drew a cartoon of the Lincoln Memorial.  But, instead of a straight back Lincoln stolidly looking forward, Mauldin drew the sixteenth president bent over crying in his hands.  It was the way the whole nation felt.  Lincoln’s tears are reminiscent of Jesus’ in today’s gospel.

 Jesus cries over Jerusalem for not heeding his call to repentance.  Jerusalem, David’s capital, is symbolic of the whole world.  Most people follow their egotistic designs rather than Jesus’ example of humility and commandment of love.  Wars never seem to end because egotism turns violent when a nation does not get what it wants.

We must learn to curb our egos – both individual and national.  It is certain that with nuclear weapons the world cannot sustain another total war.  If World War II was not the last total war, then World War III definitely will be. 

Wednesday, November 17, 2021

 Memorial of St. Elizabeth of Hungary

(II Maccabees 7.1.20-21; Luke 19:11-28)

As children, we were given chores to do each day.  Too often, we waited until the moments before mother came home to do them.  Unsurprisingly, often enough the chores were either half done or undone.  Mother, of course, was not pleased when she entered the house.  Jesus makes a similar point in today’s gospel.

The context of the parable points to its meaning.  People were expecting the establishment of Christ’s kingdom upon his arrival in Jerusalem.  Jesus intends to show them not only that there will be a delay but also that he will leave them awhile before returning in glory.  In the meantime, his followers must work to build up the populace.  Two disciples perform admirable service and are richly rewarded.  One, however, shirks his duty and is duly punished.

Today’s patron, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, heeded the parable.  Although a queen, she did not luxuriate in but shared her fortune with the poor.  She gave testimony for all to emulate of how to preach the gospel with our lives.

Tuesday, November 16, 2021

 

Tuesday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time

(II Maccabees 6:18-31; Luke 19:1-10)

In Erik Erickson’s classic study of the social life cycle final consideration is given to “ego integrity.”  By this term the author means an integration of one’s life without despair.  It is the acceptance of death with tranquility because life has been lived according to principle.  Certainly Eleazar dies with such integrity in today’s first reading.

The scene is quite graphic.  The old man is being forced to do his religion’s abominable act of eating pork.  When he refuses, his friends tell him to fake the abomination in order to save his life.  But Eleazar knows that such a travesty is a fate worse than death.  He chooses to die with integrity and leave behind a rich legacy to Jews throughout the ages.

As we grow old, we should be seeking ego integrity.  The task does not require exertion as much as thought, conviction, and sacrifice.  We must discern our life principles that include faith and aspects of our culture and decisions we have made along the way.  We might share these principles so that others could help us see them through.  Perhaps they require repentance of the mistakes that we have made in failing to live up to Christ’s commands.  Then we must take care to practice them until the end.