I Advent : [B]: Is 63: 16-17, 19; 64: 2-7; 1 Cor 1: 3-9; Mk 13: 33-37

I ADVENT : Is 63: 16-17, 19; 64: 2-7;  1 Cor 1: 3-9;  Mk 13: 33-37

Event:  Some time ago a man was staying in a hotel (chalet) in the Swiss Alps. Early one morning he heard what sounded like an earthquake. Hurriedly he got out of bed and ran to the front desk and asked if there was something wrong, if the mountains were breaking up? He was scared. The man at the front desk explained, “Sir, we are on the west side of the mountain. As the sun comes up in the east, and the snow and ice expand as they begin to get warm. The expansion causes a large crashing noise. It’s not the end of the world or the Second Coming of Jesus; it’s just the beginning of a new day.”  

Exegesis: In the first reading, the prophet Isaiah prays for God’s active presence in the Jewish community returned from Babylonian exile so that they may remain faithful to their God. In the second reading, St. Paul prays for the reconversion of Christians in Corinth who have misused their gifts and charisms and remain ill-prepared for Christ’s Second Coming. In today’s gospel, Jesus, using the short parable of the servants and gate-keeper of an absentee master who could return at any time, instructs his followers to be alert and watchful while doing their Christian duties with sincerity. The gate-keeper and the household servants are expected to be ever-vigilant because their master is sure to return. The time of his return is uncertain, but the reward or punishment is sure and certain.

Joke: Before performing a baptism, the priest approaches the young father and said solemnly, "Baptism is a serious step. Are you prepared for it?"

"I think so," the man replied. "My wife has made appetizers and we have a caterer coming to provide plenty of cookies and cakes for all of our guests."

"I don't mean that," the priest responded. "I mean, are you prepared spiritually?"
"Oh, sure," came the reply. "I've got a keg of beer and a case of whiskey."
We may laugh at the young man, but the way many of us today prepare for the coming of the Lord at Christmas is not much different from the way the man prepared for baptism.

The season of Advent is a time for Christians to prepare for the coming of the Lord. Actually we remember three of comings of the Lord. First, we celebrate something that happened in the past, namely, the birth of the Messiah into the world which took place more than 2000 years ago. Secondly, we prepare for something that will happen in the future, namely, the Second Coming of Christ at the end of time to judge the living and the dead. And thirdly, we celebrate something that happens in the present, namely, the many moments of grace which are occasions for the Lord to come into the lives of Christians, into our souls as individual believers and in our midst as the community of the people of God.

Practical Applications: We should live in the living presence of Jesus every day waiting for his Second Coming. We have to experience Christ’s living presence in the holy Eucharist, in the holy Bible, in our worshiping community in our parish, in our family, in our own souls and in every one around us. The early Christians experienced it and that is why they welcomed other Christians not by saying “Hi!” or “Good Morning!” but by acknowledging the presence of Jesus in them, respectfully addressing them, “Maran Atha” in Aramaic, meaning “Our Lord has come” or “Come Our Lord.”  God bless you and keep you ever prepared for Christ’s second coming.

First Sunday of Advent: Introduction

Message: Lord, rend the heavens and come down.  Come and save us from our sins.  Let us turn again to you and so be found blameless when you return in glory.

Saints and Events in this week: The year if the Gospel of Mark begins; The Liturgical cycle B; 3- Third – Wednesday – Saint Francis Xavier, priest; 4 – Fourth – Thursday – Saint John Damascene, Priest, Doctor of the Church; 6 – Saturday – Saint Nicholas, Bishop;

XXXIV-Christ the King:[A]:Ez 34:11-12,15-17;I Cor15:20-26,28;Mt25:31-46

XXXIV - Christ the King:[A]:Ez 34:11-12,15-17;I Cor15:20-26,28;Mt25:31-46

Event: The dirty walls of the place of execution resounded with the shout, "Viva Cristo Rey! Long Live Christ the King!? And Blessed Miguel Pro completed his life, his arms held out wide in the form of a cross. His shout was the defiant cry of the Cristeros, the Catholics of Mexico who were determined to restore the reign of Jesus Christ in a land that was suffering the most intense anti-Catholic persecution since the time of Elizabeth I of England. Miguel Pro was born to a family of miners in Guadelupe, Mexico in 1891.

The new president, Calles, declared that he had a personal hatred for Jesus Christ and vigorously enforced anti-Catholic measures throughout the country. In Miguel's home state of Tabasco, the governor, Canabal, closed all Churches and forced the priests whom he did not kill into hiding. Fr. Miguel Pro found ways to reach out to the people. He was accused of involvement in an assassination attempt on the former president; caught, arrested and quickly sent to the firing squad. President Calles had the scene meticulously photographed and published on the front pages of all of the newspapers of Mexico in order to scare the Catholics into submission. He even allowed a funeral convinced that no one would come and giving him the opportunity to say that the faith, like Miguel Pro, was dead. Instead 20,000 to 30,000 people came. Throughout the funeral they shouted Fr. Pro's last words, "Viva Cristo Rey.? Sixty one year later, on September 25, 1988, Miguel Pro was beatified by Pope St. John Paul II as an American martyr. Today is His feast day, the anniversary of his death, November 23rd. "Viva Cristo Rey!? Our commitment also is to Christ the King. Like Blessed Miguel Pro, we cannot allow anything to destroy the passion within us for the One whose death showed us the way to life. We need to fight for the Kingdom.

Exegesis:  The first reading introduces God as a Shepherd reminding us of Christ’s claim that he is the true shepherd.  In the second reading, St. Paul tells us the risen Jesus will reign until evil in every form has been destroyed.  Then Jesus will turn the kingdom over to the Father.  In the gospel Jesus is pictured as a judge, a judge who judges us on how we behave toward the lowly and the poor.  This we have three images of Christ the King: a shepherd, the risen Lord and the judge of all nations.

We have seen many TV shows of judges sitting in a courtroom handing out reward or punishment.  I believe that in the final analysis, when the time comes for us to stand before Jesus, he will not be like a judge sitting in a courtroom.  It will be the love that is in us, the love for God and the love for others that will determine whether our eternity will be an eternity of peace and joy or an eternity full of regret for having thrown away the opportunities God gave us to know him and love him and love others.

His reign is one of justice because he will judge each one according to his or her action. He shall uphold the just and reprimand the culprit. There is no corruption, embezzlement, manipulation, or structural injustices in his kingdom or during his reign. Rather, his reign will be the reign of peace because: “…He will judge among many people, rebuking strong nations far away; and they will reshape their swords as plowshares and their spears as pruning hooks. No nation will threaten another, nor will they train for war anymore” (Ish 2, 4; Micah 4, 3). His scepter shall be peace and justice. Today’s celebration will only make meaning to us if only we have given Christ the highest seat and key to the kingdom of our hearts where he earnestly desires to reign. If he reigns in every heart, then he reigns in our world. If he reigns there already, then rejoice and celebrate, if not, then let us ask him today, to come in because he says to us: “I stand at the door waiting, if you open I will come in to eat and dine with him” (Rev 3, 20). If he reigns in you, then yours are all gains and no losses.

Practical Applications: We need to be prepared to answer “Yes” to the king’s six questions: In the parable about the separation of sheep from goats in the Last Judgment, Jesus reminds us to get ready to answer “yes” to his six questions based on our corporal and spiritual acts of charity.  “I was hungry, thirsty, naked, homeless, sick, imprisoned; did you help Me?”  We are reminded that when we care for these little ones we are actually taking care of Jesus who lives behind their faces. Mother Theresa explains that they are, "hungry, not only for bread, but hungry for love; naked not only for clothing, but for human dignity and respect; homeless not only for want of a room of bricks, but homeless because of rejection."  All the sacraments and prayers in the Church are meant to make us truly compassionate toward them.

Thirty forth Sunday: Christ the King: Introduction

Message: The Lord Jesus is our shepherd. At the end, at his coming, he will hand over the kingdom to his Father.  He will “judge between one sheep and another, between rams and goats”, between those who have lived their lives for others, and those who have lived for themselves.

Saints and Events in this Week: 24 – Twenty Forth – Monday – Saint Andrew Dung-Lac, priest, martyr and his companions, martyrs; 25 – Twenty Fifth – Tuesday – Saint Catherine of Alexandria, virgin, martyr; 27 – Twenty Seventh – Thursday – Thanksgiving day;

XXXIII Sunday in OT:[A]:Prv 31:10-13,19-20,30-31;I Thes5:1-6;Mt 25:14-30

XXXIII Sunday in OT:[A]:Prv 31:10-13,19-20,30-31;I Thes5:1-6;Mt 25:14-30

Introduction: The gospel parable focuses more sharply on the Christian attitude towards earthly life as we live in expectation of the Master’s return. The implicit responsibility of each servant is to work and to multiply the talents entrusted to him. It is not enough just to preserve what one has been given. The Master expects the results from the person who has been given special talents.

Exegesis: The first reading suggests that we should be as diligent and industrious as a loyal and faithful wife in the use of our God-given gifts and talents with “the fear of the Lord.” Unlike the one-talent man, she takes her gifts and “brings forth good, not evil”; she “reaches her hands to the poor and extends her arms to the needy.” In today’s Responsorial Psalm, Ps. 128, the Psalmist echoes the concept of the blessedness of the faithful servant of the Lord. The Psalm affirms that the fear of the Lord is the key to human happiness and success. In the second reading, St.Paul advises us to keep awake and be sober, encouraging and building each other up as we wait for the “Day of the Lord.” He challenges the Thessalonians to turn fear of the Lord into positive, constructive and life-affirming action.

Today's Gospel passage, 'The Parable of the Talents', is the middle one of three parables on the coming judgment that Matthew has linked together at the conclusion of his Eschatological Discourse. The first parable is that of the ten virgins; five foolish and five wise waiting for the bridegroom. The third is the familiar parable of the sheep and the goats; the judgment at the end of time 'when the Son of man comes in his glory'. Jesus gives his disciples and the Pharisees this parable to illustrate and emphasize the teaching of the Kingdom of Heaven and how everyone will be judged according the use he makes of the gifts God given.

We share in His Glory only to the extent that we have allowed Him to be seen in our efforts. Nothing that we do should be about us. All our gifts should be seen as just that, gifts from God. This is a message we need to convey to our children and Teens. The Lord tells us in the parable that the Master will come for an accounting of how we used the particular talents He has given each of us. The first two servants in the parable returned more than they received, allowing the Master's possessions to grow. God is calling us to develop what we are given to allow His Kingdom to grow.

There may be other people more talented or gifted than me.  Consider them. Include them in our effort of improvement. Thinking like there is no other gifted like me. So everybody should appreciate me and me only.  Or thinking like after my completion of duties there should be no one like me doing things better than me.  So close the scene and personalize the work by self. Close the opportunity for continuity of work. These are not Christian. These are not becoming Christ. Have a broad mind to include God and everybody in our life activities.

Joke: How to stay safe without taking risk? 1.  Avoid riding in automobiles because they are responsible for 20% of all fatal accidents. 2.  Do not stay home because 17% of all accidents occur in the home. 3.  Avoid walking on streets or sidewalks because 14% of all accidents occur to pedestrians. 4.  Avoid traveling by air, rail, or water because 16% of all accidents     involve these forms of transportation. 5.  Of the remaining 33%, 32% of all deaths occur in Hospitals.  So, above     all else, avoid hospitals.     BUT, you will be pleased to learn that only .001% of all deaths occur in worship services in church, and these are usually related to previous physical disorders.  Therefore, logic tells us that the safest place for you to be at any given point in time is at Church!  And, Bible study is safe too.  The percentage of deaths during Bible study is even smaller.  So for SAFETY'S sake: Attend Church, and read your Bible.  IT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE!

Practical Applications:  We need to trust God enough to make use of the gifts and abilities we have been given.   We may be especially talented in teaching children or cooking meals or repairing homes or programming computers.  During this Mass then, let us ask ourselves how we are using our particular gifts and talents in a creative way in the service of our Christian community and the wider society to advance the interest of God's Kingdom. Essentially this means the works of love, as the scene of the final judgment upon Christ's return makes it clear. Let us be prepared for 'the Day of Judgment' when Christ the Lord takes account of the talents we have been so generously blessed with, and eagerly look forward to hear him say to us, “Come, share your master's joy.”

Thirty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time : Introduction

Message: They are happy who fear the lord, who use their gifts and talents in the service of one another, especially the poor and the needy.  They shall be known as children of the light and will be ready for the Lord’s return.

Saints and Events in this week: 17 – Seventeenth – Monday: St. Elizabeth of Hungary, religious; 18 – Eighteenth – Tuesday: The Dedication of the Basilicas of saints Peter and Paul, apostles; Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne, virgin; 22 – Twenty Second – Saturday: Saint Cecilia, virgin, martyr;

Dedication of the Lateran Bsilica: XXXII :[A]: Ezek 47:1-2,8-9,12; 1Cori3:9-11,16-17; Jn2:13-22

Dedication of the Lateran Bsilica: XXXII :[A]: Ezek 47:1-2,8-9,12; 1Cori3:9-11,16-17; Jn2:13-22

Introduction: From today's Gospel we hear about Jesus driving the money-changers out of the Temple and can conclude we should focus exclusively on "spiritual things." But is that the real message? Jesus drives out the money changers because of "zeal" for the Temple. The Temple is a stones and mortar structure - a physical place where God meets his people. When Jesus cleanses the Temple he shows his care for that material reality. Today we celebrate the dedication of a specific building - the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome.

In our first reading today the vision of the prophet Ezekiel about the temple of Jerusalem is presented to us in a most articulate and dramatic fashion. This reminds us of God’s ever abiding presence within his temple. As a sign of God’s presence among his people, the Temple or “Church” is a place from where the river of God’s joy emanates and flows towards us in order to nourish and satisfy us. It is a place of refuge and a place where we find eternal bliss, a place where our spiritual hunger and thirst are satisfied, and most importantly, it is a place of healing where we find Jesus our balm of Gilead (Jer 8, 22) that heals our wounded souls.

The Gospel today shows the only really violent image of Jesus, overturning the tables in the Temple in Jerusalem because they had forgotten the ‘holiness’ of the place of God, and had turned it into a marketplace. Immediately after this, he predicts that he can rebuild the Temple in three days. The logic of this is, of course, totally misunderstood by his listeners, but reading backwards, we see that though God the Father may dwell in that Jerusalem temple, God also was Jesus, and after his death he would be restored to us in three days.

Our young people have been given a very strange view of what is morally acceptable. They are taught this unbalanced concept: anything is permissible as long as the bad results of an action are prevented. This is wrong. Both end and means that leads to end should be right. For example, the concept would be that it is OK to get drunk, as long as you have a designated driver. Thinking like stealing is fine if the stolen money is used for charity is wrong. Or that it is OK to engage in casual intimate actions as long as you have protection from AIDS or pregnancy. The beauty of creation has been sacrificed to a pornographic world that has neither need nor desire for God. Sometimes you just want to run to a Church to get away from it all. And we do. We run to the Church as our one refuge of sanity

Saint Paul picks up on the moral concerns of having Christ within us as well. “Are you not aware that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?....The temple of God is holy, and you are that temple.” (1 Cor. 3:16-17) Today’s celebration is not really about a place, after all. It is about us. We are the Church. Together we are a place of refuge from the terrors of the world. Together, united with Christ, we are a people of love in a world of hatred.

Practical:  1)We see Jesus' zeal for the physical temple and we reflect on the material blessings God has given us. And we ask: How can I share those blessings so that we have dynamic and flourishing parish? If you care for the Lord's Temple - his Church in all its dimension - if you care for that Temple, God will care for you.

2)The loss of the sense of the sacred in church buildings and church worship might be one reason why young people are no longer keen on church attendance. If they come to church thinking it to be another social gathering, no wonder they find it so boring. But when we realize that the church is a holy place, a place of encounter with God, with one another and with oneself, and then we bring a certain disposition of mind and body to church service which helps make worship an uplifting rather than boring experience. Today’s celebration of the dedication of St John Lateran invites us to renew our faith in the church as a house of prayer and to cultivate habits and practices that make it easy for God to encounter us whenever we go to church.

The Dedication of  the Lateran Basilica : Introduction

Message:  The waters flowing from the temple, the dwelling place of the Lord, bring forth life and growth.  Jesus is the living sanctuary and we his living body in the Spirit.

History: Today marks the anniversary of the dedication of the cathedral church of Rome, on land owned by the Laterani family, by Pope St. Sylvester I (31 Dec.), 9 Nov.324; honored as the Episcopal seat of the pope as bishop of Rome; according to an inscription which Pope Clement XII (reigned 1730-1740) placed on the façade, this basilica is the “mother and head of all churches of Rome and the world” (“omnium ecclesiarum Urbis et Orbis mater et caput”); residence of the popes from the 4^th c. until their moving to Avignon (1309); site of five ecumenical councils; Pope Innocent X commissioned the present structure in 1646; beneath its high altar rests the remains of the small wooden table on which, according to tradition, St. Peter celebrated Mass; dedicated to the Savior, later to St. John the Baptist.

Saints and Events in this week:  10 – Tenth - Monday – Saint Leo the Great, pope, doctor of the Church; 11 – Eleventh - Tuesday – Saint Martin of Tours, basilica; 12 – Twelfth - Wednesday – Saint Josephat, bishop, martyr; 13 – Thirteenth - Thursday – Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, virgin; 15 – Fifteenth - Saturday – Saint Albert the Great, bishop, doctor of the Church;