Cycle B - Year I:  

30 November 2014: 1st Sunday of Advent 

(Liturgical color: Violet)

Mark 13:33-37

A New Beginning!

Do you know that in the Catholic Church we can actually greet each other a "Happy New Year" this Sunday, November 30? That is not unusual  because we begin a new liturgical year in our Journey of Faith with the Advent season. It is the start of a new stage of our worldly pilgrimage to the house of the Father.

Thus, advent is a period of preparation, extending over 4 Sundays before Christmas. The word "advent" comes from the Latin "advenio", meaning "to come to", and refers to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Church wants us to reflect on advent in three ways: first, and the most obvious, in celebration of Christ's birth at Christmas; second, the coming of Christ in our lives through grace and the Sacrament of the Eucharist or Holy Communion; and finally, the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ at the end of time.

The theme of the Gospel narratives from St. Mark is to be vigilant and alert: "Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come." (Mk 13:33) We hear these words (or their equivalent) at the beginning of every Advent season. Obviously, these are words from the past that direct us to the future. This interplay of past and future nicely reveals the character of Advent, and of Catholic life in general. Because how we receive our Lord at his birth will determine how we respond to Him at his return, or second coming.

As Christians our attitude is that of faith and trust, rather than fear for the final coming. The first Sunday of Advent invites us to be awake, be prepared, hope and trust in God's loving mercy.

To help us better understand the urgency with which we should anticipate the Lord's return in glory, Jesus compares as to servants awaiting their master's return but not knowing exactly when it will occur. This uncertainty should not leave us dreading the future. Rather, it should impel us to live in such a way that whenever Jesus returns, we will be found ready and waiting for Him. Our whole lives should be an ongoing preparation to meet the King of kings whenever He should decide to return.

How do we utilize Advent to better preparation? 

Here are some suggestions: First, undertaking voluntary penances during the season of Advent by availing of the Sacrament of Reconciliation; Second, dedicating a portion of what we might spend on gifts toward charitable causes as a way of mortifying the secular tendency to overindulge during this season; Finally, we should dedicate ourselves to intensified prayer, for example, meditating on the Joyful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary. All these are among the most effective ways of being watchful and alert during the Advent Season.

A blessed Sunday to us all. And thank you for a moment with God.

Cycle A - Year II:  

23 November 2014: Solemnity of Christ the King 

(Liturgical color: White)

Matthew 25:31-46

Jesus Christ, our King!

The Church ends this Sunday another liturgical year by proclaiming the

Kingship of our Lord Jesus Christ. who is the King of kings, Lord of lords, the Alpha and Omega of all creation. An so it is fitting that we close the year by celebrating the Solemnity of Christ the King.

The Gospel reading from Matthew also speaks of an ending: the coming of the Son of Man in glory at the end of time.

The core message of the Gospel passage seems to be that the story of our salvation history is continuing. It did not end with the resurrection of Christ, or his ascension into heaven. It does not even end at Pentecost with the coming of the Holy Spirit. Because our salvation ends with Christ, who is seated at the right hand of the Father, when He comes again to judge the living and the dead.

At the end of time, Jesus describes the possible fate of the human soul: eternal life with Him or eternal punishment in hell. It depends upon the accounting we give of the love we have shown for God and neighbor, or the lack of it, while in this life. In other words, heaven or hell are but the crowning of the life we live on earth. The guidelines that our Lord gives us are really simple. They begin with what we do or fail to do here and now: "...whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.... what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me." Our Lord Jesus Christ is the final Judge to whom we must render an accounting of our lives on earth at the end of time.

What then is the significance of the Solemnity of Christ the King in our lives today?

Well, knowing the end of the story of our salvation --judgment, eternal life or punishment-- should have a significant impact on how we live in the present. We realize that while in this world, Christ does not force his kingship on us, his subjects. He prefers that we voluntarily submit out of love for Him. But on the final judgment day, there is no second chance, and there is no escaping divine justice. As the Good Shepherd, our Lord Jesus Christ will separate the sheep from the goats according to the criterion of love and charity that we do to others, especially the least ones in our midst.

A blessed Sunday to us all. And thank you for a moment with God.

Ad Jesum per Mariam! 

Cycle A - Year II:  

16 November 2014: 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time 

(Liturgical color: Green)

Matthew 25:14-30 (or 25:14-15, 19-21)

Making use of God-given talents!

It is said that every person has some kind of talent that sometimes are unique from the rest. Do you know what is your special talent? How do you make use of your God-given talents?

The Word of God for this Sunday shares with us timely lesson on how to deal with our God-given talents.

The parable of the talents speaks first of the Master's trust in his servants.

While he goes away he leaves them with his money to be used and invested wisely. When he returned the servant entrusted with five talents made another five more. The servant with two talents produced two more. But the servant with one talent produced nothing; he dug a hole in the ground and buried his Mater's money.

The essence of the parable touches on the concept of responsibility. The Master expected his servants to be productive in the use of his money entrusted in their care. Each servant was faithful up to a certain point. But the servant who just buried his Master's money was irresponsible.

In practical life, today's parable provides us an opportunity to reflect on how well we use our gifts and talents for the sake of the Lord and His kingdom. In concrete terms, it challenges us to use well the time, treasure, and talents God has given us.

Yet the Gospel parable also contains a warning. We are drawing near the end of another liturgical year, which reminds us that our time on earth is not unlimited. Any moment could be our last. That is why we have to make good use of the years that God grants us by working for the love of God and neighbor. We must resolve not to waste time by worrying unnecessarily about the past or being excessively concerned about the future. Our Lord Jesus promises to give us the grace we need to meet the challenges of the future, as well as to repent of the sins of our past. Jesus asks us in today's Gospel to entrust ourselves to Him that we might cooperate with Him in the building up of His kingdom. When we use our talents to do our share in the evangelization work of the Church, then we also become trustworthy servants of the Lord.

The Church also observes this Sunday "World Day of Remembrance for Road Victims". Let us pray for the eternal repose of the souls of road victims and the healing of their grieving families. May all those given the privilege to use the road become more conscious of the safety of all while on the road.

A blessed Sunday to us all. And thank you for a moment with God.

Ad Jesum per Mariam!