Sunday, November 24, 2013

Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

As we dwell on the nature of true kingship, let us also consider what it means to be a good subject. Are we willing to embrace that title and everything that goes with it? To fall in love with our lord's sovereignty? To freely choose the life of an obedient servant? To give ourselves over to their will so completely that it becomes our own? To surrender control of our impotent little lives and become one with our master? To take our place at their side, not as slaves, but as cherished members of a royal family? To serve our king with all our heart, all our soul, all our strength, and all our mind?

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

The End Times: parochialism at its finest. We will bathe in "the sun of justice". They will be reduced to nothing more than "stubble". Such hopes are understandable. But are we looking for redemption or vindication? And is the kingdom a home for the chosen few who have persevered or the entire family, including the proud, the persecutors, the collaborators, and all the rest of the weaklings who do evil? Does anyone need God's "healing rays" more than them? No one should be denied such grace.

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

What sort of life will the resurrection bring? Are our assumptions about that life any less ridiculous than the scenario offered up by these Sadducees? We cling so furiously to this blade of grass known as human civilization, that we conjure up visions of the afterlife consisting of more of the same only prettier. But our Parent is the God of all that is living, not just the few grains of sand we happen to know about. Whatever they have in store for their children is going to be more magnificent than we can possibly imagine. And when their glory appears, our joy will truly be full.

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

"For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost." But why are we lost? Perhaps it's because we refuse to acknowledge our lowdown, dirty sinfulness. Or maybe it's because we buy into that story a bit too enthusiastically, especially when the lowdown, dirty sinner is our neighbor. How many more times and in how many more ways must God express to us their love and mercy before we finally believe it? "For you love all things that are and loathe nothing that you have made."

Saturday, November 2, 2013

The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls)

"God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us." Our Parent does not see us for who we are during our brief moments on this planet, but for who we will be over an eternity spent in their embrace. Can we, just for one day, make this vision our own? My prayers today are for Erich Priebke, the Nazi war criminal who died last month in Rome and was denied a church funeral. Now, I understand the challenge of loving our enemies while we breathe the same air, but to refuse them mercy and compassion after death? Such spitefulness is shameful! Like it or not, Priebke and all those like him are our brothers and sisters. And we do not get to disown them.

Friday, November 1, 2013

Solemnity of All Saints

Today is my favorite holy day, because today we celebrate our family. We are all saints. We are all holy. Not because of anything we might do, but simply because of who we are: "the children of God." Our common calling is to recognize and acknowledge that truth. Once we do, everything else will fall into place. Yes, most truly, blessed are we, for ours is a holy family.