34th sunday in ordinary time

It is our Church’s custom to focus on Christ the King as we celebrate the last Sunday of our Church year.  Next week we begin a new Church year with the Season of Advent.

In our first reading from the prophet Daniel, our Lord is envisioned as the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven to receive dominion, glory and Kingship.  In the gospel from John, Jesus stands trial and is questioned about His Kingship by Pilate.

As John’s Passion unfolds, the theme of Christ’s Kingship emerges as the central point.  It is the focal point of Pilate’s questions, the cause of our Lord’s mock coronation by the soldiers, and the substance of the inscription placed on the cross— Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.

John uses irony to great effect.  Although Jesus is brought to trial before Pilate, it is really Pilate who is being judged.  Moreover, although Pilate hands Him over to be lifted up on the cross in ignominy he sets the stage for Jesus to be lifted up in glory.

In other words, His Kingdom does not depend on military might, economic strength, or political power.  It is a spiritual Kingdom that depends on faith, prayer and good works.  It is not a kingdom that seeks to increase its wealth, expand its borders or inflate its image.  It is a kingdom that promotes peace where there is violence, justice where there is exploitation,  and freedom where there is oppression.

Will we miss our chance as Pilate did and not take Christ’s kingship seriously?  Or will we acknowledge Him as family and join in His cause to protect human rights, relieve poverty, and care for the unwanted?

God Bless,

Msgr. Powell

33rd sunday in ordinary time

The focus of Jesus in today’s gospel is on the final events of the world and His future coming.  The images of the sun, moon, and stars symbolize the distress of the world when the forces of evil are at work.   The image of the victorious Son of Man refers to the future coming of Jesus.  He will bring the final victory after the period of calamity and chaos.  Jesus assured His followers He would soon experience suffering followed by resurrection, they would also experience suffering as they underwent the period of trial that would precede the victory of goodness.  These apocalyptic images are meant to reassure God’s people in time of trial and persecution of God’s eventual victory.

Jesus teaches us that suffering is part of the Christian life.  But it is a suffering that is only temporary; it leads to a share in Christ’s glory.  If we are faithful to Christ through periods of trial, we will share in the victory He will bring about.

Jesus also teaches us that there is no way to predict when the end of the world will happen.  War, destruction and persecution are preliminary  signs of the end, but they do not mark the time of  the end itself.  Therefore the attitude that all Christians must have is vigilance, alertness, and watchfulness.  We should live as if Christ might return at any moment and ask us to account for what we have done with our lives.

God Bless,

Msgr. Powell