Monday, November 21, 2022

 Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

(Revelation 14:1-3.4b-5; Luke 21:1-4)

Once a young worker was heard singing a hymn from a church service. Later she said that she wanted to be included among the 144,000 who as today’s first reading declares, “follow the Lamb wherever he goes.”  Would she really?

The 144,000 are likely to be those who gave their lives in witness to the Lamb.  They are the martyrs who through the centuries have shed their life-blood proclaiming that Jesus is Lord.  Although the number 144,000 is symbolic for this group, it does not represent all those who are saved through faith.

We can be grateful that we are not called upon to die as martyrs. Some who have been called have apostatized.  Nevertheless, we, like the Virgin Mother Mary whom we celebrate today, are called to proclaim Jesus by word and deed.  Let our actions always comply with the dictates of the Lord while our words never cease to glorify his name.

Sunday, November 20, 2022

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

(II Samuel 5:1-3; Colossians 1:12-20; Luke 23:35-43)

A widow's son died suddenly. The mother was left heartbroken. She not only felt abandoned by God; she also was worried about the soul of the deceased. Although he was kind and respectful of everyone, the man did not regularly attend mass. Thinking of Christ as a king, we could support people like this grieving woman.

A king or queen has the prerogative to grant pardons to criminals. They can order a prisoner to be released, no matter what his or her offense is. Although Pilate was not a king but a representative of the emperor, he took advantage of the prerogative. He released Barabbas from prison while condemning Jesus to death. In today's gospel, Jesus himself, king of the universe, uses it to commute the penalty of the criminal who asks him for consideration. For contritely acknowledging his offense, Jesus promises his eternal life.

The second reading from the Letter to the Colossians assures us that Jesus has the privilege of pardons. Because he is the Son of God the Father, the firstborn of all creation, and the foundation of all things, Christ has received "all fullness." This "fulness" includes the ability to forgive the guilty where he deems appropriate. With this power, Christ can commute the penalty of our sins, however great.

We cannot say that everyone will be admitted into the glory of eternal life. Jesus warns us in the gospel to enter through the narrow gate. That is, we are to pray, do penance, and perform good deeds regularly. He adds that “many will try to enter and will not be able to”. That is, many pretend to live righteously, but they will not achieve eternal life. Jesus has left us the sacraments to keep on the right path and put us back there when we leave it. We should not presume that his mercy is as sure as the Christmas bonus.

However, the mercy of Jesus Christ is greater than our calculations. He knows if we are fully guilty of our sins. It may be that our responsibility is limited when we sin because of cultural conditions or personal experiences. Also, he listens to our last cries. It is possible that, with an act of contrition at the final moment, he will forgive our worst sins. It would be an act completely in keeping with his mission. As he said on the way to his martyrdom in Jerusalem, he came "to save what was lost."

When she died recently, Queen Elizabeth of England received praise from around the world. She was a disciplined and believing person, truly worthy of admiration. Her subjects loved her for the dignity she always displayed and her concern for the welfare of the nations in the Commonwealth. In Christ we have a monarch with these qualities and more. After conquering sin and death, he has reigned to dispense grace to us. He will always be for us the king of kings: just, compassionate, and benevolent.

Friday, November 18, 2022

Friday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time

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

The reading from the Book of Revelation pictures John, the seer, swallowing a scroll from an angel.  The scroll containing prophecy tastes like honey in the seer’s mouth because it contains news of Christ’s ultimate victory over sin.  However, it upsets his stomach because it also tells of the suffering the people of God will have to endure.  The reading concludes with someone telling John to prophecy about peoples, nations, tongues, and kings.  John will relate this prophecy as a battle narrative showing the victory of the Lambs’ forces over evil.

Revelation comes from the Greek word apokalipsis which literally means folding back the veil.  It is the story of the future which only God knows although He can share it with others.  We should hear in the coming days of evil being annihilated so that the children of God may live in the glory of God.

Like the scroll that the seer swallows, our experience in life as Christians is bittersweet.  We know of Christ’s love for us best shown on the cross and in its extension in the Eucharist.  We also know that we must endure hardship to be true to him.  But victory is assured because Christ is more powerful than any of evil.

Thursday, November 17, 2022

 Memorial of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, religious

(Revelation 5:1-10; Luke 19:41-44)

At the beginning of John’s Gospel, John the Baptist calls Jesus the “Lamb of God.’”  He is prophesying that Jesus will be slain as a sacrifice for the sins of humanity.  It is no accident that the same evangelist pictures Jesus’ dying on the cross at noon.  Exactly at this moment lambs are being slaughtered in the temple for the Passover feast to atone for the sins of the people.  In today’s first reading the Lamb appears as uniquely capable of accomplishing another momentous feat.

The scene foreshadows Jesus’ victory over sin and death at the end of time.  The issue is who can open the scroll in the hand of God.  The scroll contains the narrative of how sin and death will be defeated.  The narrative, however, cannot proceed until the scroll is open.  The visionary John sheds tears because sin and death are wreaking havoc when no one comes forth to do it.  Finally, the spotless Lamb of God, takes the scroll.  He will initiate the campaign to annihilate evil.

The Book of Revelation was written to assure Christians that God is in control despite the suffering they experience.  The author wanted to tell those under persecution that their rescue is near.  We too should find hope in the story.  We might have thought that there was a consensus against abortion and gay marriage despite what the sophisticated say.  The recent elections indicate that America and perhaps the world is deeply divided on these issues.  Nevertheless, we should realize that Christ will see us through the difficult struggle.  His light will remove the darkness that surrounds the globe.

Wednesday, November 16, 2022

 Wednesday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time

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

What does heaven look like?  Today’s first reading gives an idea using symbols.  It is the worship of God (who is not pictured because He is so holy).  Twenty-four elders on thrones symbolizing the twelve tribes of Israel along with the twelve apostles comprise the first line of praise. Then there are the seven spirits of God, appearing as torches, stand in wait of a command.  They are related to the gifts of the Holy Spirit that prompt us to do good. 

The four living creatures resembling a lion, a calf, a man, and an eagle denote the best of creation – nobility, strength, insight, and swiftness.  They are covered with eyes to indicate God’s care for creation.  These images have been used for the four evangelists.  Their worship specifies gratitude for all creation.

At mass on Sunday, we form a body that also gives praise to God for creation.  We thank God for the goods of the earth, the sea, and the skies.  We worship Him as well for the spiritual help that He sends our way.  Most of all, we honor God for His Son who saved us from our folly in the created order.  Revelation’s attention turns to him in its next section.