Christ the King: The Lordship of Service

The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe:  November 26, 2023

Readings: Ezekiel 34:11–12, 15–17; Psalm 23:1–3, 5–6; 1 Corinthians 15:20–26, 28; Matthew 25:31–46

Christ the Pantacrator

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https://youtu.be/FybB1HL4qw4

 

Life is a journey of twists and turns. It is a series of different journeys. This life contains everything: good, bad, beautiful, and ugly. As we turn off the current liturgical year on the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the King of the Universe, we are, in fact, concluding the ordinary liturgical year with a bang. We are singing praises to the Lord of the Universe: The Son of God, the God-Man. We are concluding a year of different experiences both of suffering and of love, of success and of failures, of joy and of sadness. We could experience such things and face the adversaries of life with boldness and courage, patience and perseverance, peace and tranquility because we trusted in the Lord. We also went through different seasons of the liturgical year, Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, and Ordinary Time of the Year. We not only assimilated these periods of faith journey but also lived our ordinary lives filled with love and laughter, sickness and suffering, boredom and beauty, as the situations and circumstances became integral parts of our lives.

1. The Lordship of Service: A Call to Action

The Gospel reading of today Matthew 25:31–46 contains beautiful but challenging teachings of Jesus to his disciples and those who would like to follow him. They contain clarifications on who the Lord is and how a disciple must own up mission entrusted to him or her. In fact, Christ's kingship is not one of earthly power and grandeur but of humble service. Christ's Kingdom is built on acts of kindness, mercy, and love. True greatness is found in serving others, and in doing so, we honor the kingship of Christ.

Jesus' Risk Management and Entrepreneurial Spirit

 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time: November 19, 2023

Readings: Proverbs 31:10–13, 19–20, 30–31; Psalm 128:1–5; 1 Thessalonians 5:1–6; Matthew 25:14–30

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Often it is said that it would be better to do something remarkable and fall short than to attempt to do nothing and achieve nothing at all.  As we give attention not only to our general wellbeing but also to our spiritual wellness, it is often failing than succeeding. It so happens God is remembered when there is a need and distress. Forgetfulness of God's mercy and compassion often distracts us from focusing our attention on God. Most probably we try to give emphasis to meditation, prayer, and liturgical services in our everyday lives, but these might not become truly real as other concerns of this world takeover. God becomes absent in our lives. The liturgical readings for the 33rd Sunday of the Ordinary Year serve as a poignant reminder not to lose sight of God. Every talent, gift, and capacity bestowed upon us by God should be wielded with the purpose of making His presence known and realized in our lives. 

1. Stewardship of gifts of God and our accountability to Him

The Gospel of Matthew 25:14–30 presents the parable of the talents. The parable emphasizes the responsibility we have as stewards of the gifts and talents bestowed upon us by God. It prompts us to reflect on the ways we use our unique abilities for the betterment of God's Kingdom. It underscores the importance of recognizing, developing, and investing in the talents entrusted to us rather than burying them in fear or complacency. 

Jesus Management: Being with the Lord Always, Active and Happy!

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time: November 12, 2023

Readings: Wisdom 6:12–16; Psalm 63:2–8; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–17; Matthew 25:1–13

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As we approach the Season of Advent and prepare to conclude the current liturgical year, the Sunday readings call us to readiness and attentiveness to God. Are we prepared to meet the Lord? Or are we still preoccupied with our own endeavors, losing sight of what is truly important? As the world continues to long for peace and harmony, the ultimate pursuit of our lives, and indeed of every Christian, should echo Christ's words to His disciples before His ascension: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you" (John 14:27). Martin Luther King Jr. aptly said, "Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal." The quest for human perfection culminates in attaining that peace once and for all. Thus, the means or instruments we utilize in this pursuit are equally important.

1. Living with Eternity in Mind: 

The liturgical readings for this Sunday are vibrant and focused. Let's begin with the Second reading taken from 1 Thessalonians 4:13–17. It offers comfort and hope in the face of death, assuring believers of the resurrection of those who have died in Christ and the eventual reunion of all believers with the Lord. In a world that often seems filled with despair, fear, and anxiety, this passage reminds Christians that while grief is a natural human emotion, it is not without hope. Believers are encouraged to grieve the loss of loved ones, but not in the same way as those without hope. This hope is based on the belief in the resurrection and the second coming of Christ. In practical terms, this means supporting one another in times of loss, providing comfort, and pointing each other towards the hope of eternal life.

Has not the One God Created us?

31st Sunday in Ordinary Time: November 05, 2023

Readings: Malachi 1:14-2:2, 8-10; Psalm 131:1-3; 1 Thessalonians 2:7-9, 13; Matthew 23:1-12

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As we begin this month of November and remember all those who died in Christ and have gone before us, the reality of life and death is ever present before us. The month, with its shorter days and longer nights,  serves as a somber backdrop to the profound mystery of our mortal journey. It is a period marked distinctly by the solemnity of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day, where the Christian community pauses to honor and pray for those who have departed this world in the hope of resurrection. The vibrant leaves falling from the trees are like a metaphor for the cycle of life, death, and the hope of new life that the Christian faith professes. We are also in the midst of wars and bloodshed, death and destruction. The state of Manipur in India is still reeling under violence. Along with the Ukraine-Russia armed conflict, the Hamas-Israel war is seeing new dimensions of modern warfare. In this context, the liturgical readings on this 31st Sunday of the Ordinary Year, invite us to be God-centered in order to live in peace and harmony. 

1. Reverence for the Divine: Allowing God to be God

One of the minor prophets in the Old Testament, Malachi has a profound message today. Here the prophet speaks for God. God expresses His displeasure with the priests, the spiritual leaders of Israel, for their failure to honor Him and their deviation from His ways. Even though, they are a chosen race, God has a stern warning to them: if they do not take heed, their blessings will become curses. The priests are accused of causing others to stumble by their teachings and showing partiality in applying the law, which goes against the covenantal relationship established between God and His people.