THIRTY FOURTH SUNDAY/SOLEMNITY OF CHRIST THE KING

Ezek 34:11-2, 15-17; 

1 Cor 15:20-26, 28 

Matt 25:31-46.

Today we celebrate the feast of Christ the King, which marks the end of the Liturgical season.  Next Sunday will be the first Sunday of Advent, Year B.  The importance of today’s celebration cannot be overemphasized. It serves to remind us of a few essentials. First, that the God who created us is the sovereign of all creation, human, animals, seas, plant, mountains, and nations, name them! He is all and all, the alpha and the Omega! the source of our lasting hope!  Second, Christ Jesus is God’s incarnate, the Son of God, and the King of the Universe. Third, earthly leaders, kings, parents, family heads, heads of governments, bosses in factories and institutions, representatives at the United Nations, in their different roles, in history, that stretches back  to the monarchical history of Israel (if we want) are called to be viceroys and imitators of Christ, in his love, kindness, leadership, care, mercy, justice, and righteousness.  

In Israel’s history, apart from David, Hezekiah and Josiah, most of the kings were completely out of touch with God’s expectations: obedient, fair, selfless, holy, wise, peaceful, prayerful, hopeful, compassionate, faithful, steadfast, courageous, prudent, sensitive, and covenant oriented, qualities that may be necessary for our leaders today!

Thirty-Third Sunday of Year A

Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-31; 1 Thess. 5:1-6 and Matt 25:14-15,19-21.

Today, as we celebrate the 33^rd Sunday of Year A we draw closer and closer to the end of the 2017 liturgical calendar, and also, to the beginning of a new one marked by the season of Advent. The day also marks the beginning of the First World Day of the Poor by which the Holy Father, Pope Francis invites the whole church to turn their gaze on our beloved poor who stretch their hands and plead for our concrete help and solidarity through concrete signs of solidarity and fraternity.

In the midst of all the anxieties of life, the threats of wars, terrorism, ISIS, Boko Haram, etc the church invites and exhorts us in the reading today to remain faithful and dedicated to our Head and Lord Jesus Christ. I read the story about a faithful dog called Hachiko recently.  It was owned by a professor at the University of Tokyo. The professor used to take a train from a particular Station every day to go to the University. Each day Hachiko accompanied him to the train station when he left for work. Upon returning, the Professor would find the dog patiently waiting and wagging its tail. This happy routine continued until one fateful day, when the professor was taken ill on the job and unfortunately died before he could return home. As usual, the dog waited at

THIRTY SECOND SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME YEAR A

  

Wisdom 6:12-16        1 Thessalonians 4:13-18      Matthew 25:1-13

I once saw a small boy seating patiently by the gate in front of their house. Considering that it was getting dark and chilly I asked the boy to go into the house. But he politely refused. When I enquired why he would not go in, he responded: “I have to wait here to open the gate for my mummy when she comes back, and I know that she is on her way now.” Surely, the poor boy was right, and I got it wrong because while we were still conversing we heard a car horn and a flash, and the boy with bright eyes and a bold smile on his face said to me, “here she comes, I told you I know my mummy is on her way.” Immediately, he left me to open the gate for his mum. I guessed, he was

THIRTY FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A

Mal 1:14-2:2, 8-10; 1Thess 2:7-9, 13; Matt 23:1-12

In today’s gospel, Jesus affirms the Pharisees and scribes as the legitimate leaders of the people, following Moses. He tells His disciples to obey and respect them but not to follow their example. What they say is true so follow them, but in practice they are misusing their authority for the sake of their selfish advantage, so do not imitate their example.

Many people say that today, we have a leadership crisis. But we do not have a leadership crisis but a servant leadership crisis. We have too many people who want to be first, who want to lead the parade, to be on top of the heap, who want the big office, to have the title, the power, the perks and the prestige. We don't have enough people who really want to wash the dirty feet of others as Jesus did. The question today, is not where are the leaders but much simpler than that, where are the servants.

Many people say that authority is bad. They say that power corrupts. Everyday we hear stories about scandals among politicians, corporate heads, even in the church and others who hold positions of authority. But authority is good because it comes from God. God

ALL SOULS DAY

 

Wisdom 3:1-9; 1Thess 4:13-18;  John 11:17-27

 I am the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25)

After the feast of all saints yesterday, today the Church prays for the souls of those in purgatory, especially for our loved ones, gone before us, waiting to join in the heavenly glory, through purification. The importance of this celebration cannot be overemphasized. Even when November 2 falls on a Sunday, the priests still celebrate three times, the Masses for the Souls of all the Faithful Departed. These