1st Sunday of Advent - B

Commentary

Mark 13: 33-37

Each with His Own Work

The man “leaves home and places his servants in charge, each with his own work.” 

As a result, the best thing one can do to remain watchful and alert is to carry out the task given to him/her.

In the context of the Liturgical Calendar, we now begin a new year, with the readings of the Gospel According to Mark.  However, the two passages from Matthew for the last two Sundays of the previous liturgical year transitioned smoothly into today’s passage. 

In the parable of the talents, the master of the house entrusted with his servants different amounts, “each according to his ability” (Matthew 25: 15).

Then, in the parable of the judgment of the nations, the work given to each follower of Christ is to be carried out in feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and caring for those in need…. 

That is the work of building the Kingdom and at the same time preparing for the return of the King.  This task has been entrusted to us, “each with his own work.”

1st Sunday of Advent - B (November 30, 2014)

Readings

Image source:  http://www.saintalbansepiscopal.org

Christ the King - A

Commentary

Matthew 25: 31-46

Where is the King?  Who is the King?

This parable ends Matthew’s account of Jesus’ public teaching.  [1] (Jesus’ passion narrative begins with the following chapter).

Matthew begins his account of Jesus’ teaching with the summary of his message, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (4:17).

Jesus goes on to call “blessed” the poor, the hungry, the meek, …  because they are citizens of the Kingdom (“theirs is the kingdom of heaven”)(5:3). [2]

Now, as the conclusion of his teaching, Jesus goes further to identify himself, who sits on his glorious throne, with those who are poor, hungry, the prisoners, the strangers, etc.

 

Not only are these suffering people citizens of the kingdom, they are the King in the flesh. 

The mystery of Christ’s Incarnation continues.  Christ now lives among us in the poor, the hungry, the prisoners, the strangers….  In them lives the Emmanuel, God-with-us.  In them, His Kingdom is at hand. 

-------------------------------------

[1] and [2].  John Petty, Blog.  Progressive Involvement at progressiveinvolvement.com

Solemnity of Christ the King - A (November 23, 2014)

Readings

Image Source:  http://www.agnusday.org

33rd Sunday - A

Dedication of the Basilica of St John Lateran

Commentary

John 2: 13-22

Temple or God’s house

In the first part of the passage, the narrator uses the word “temple.” Webster dictionary (online version) defines temple as “a building for religious practices.” This meaning implies human initiative, even if it is the act of worship.

The people who Jesus chases out of the Temple with their merchandise certainly have treated it as a place of human activities, and probably some of the worst kind.

Jesus, on the contrary, refers to it as “my Father’s house.” He restores the place to its noble purpose, namely, the dwelling place of God among God’s people.

How do I treat God’s dwelling places of my own being, in my brothers and sisters, in the church (both lower case c church and upper case C Church). There, God’s dwelling places.

Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome (November 9, 2014)

Readings

Image source: http://www.agnusday.org

All Souls (November 2, 2014)

Gospel:
(This passage is a part of one of of the options for the Gospels that can be used for this Commemoration of the Faithful Departed.)

Luke 24: 1 - 6a

The Resurrection of Jesus

At daybreak on the first day of the week they took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb.   They found the stone rolled away from the tomb; but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.  

While they were puzzling over this, behold, two men in dazzling garments appeared to them.  They were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground.

They said to them, “Why do you seek the living one among the dead? He is not here, but he has been raised"

------------------------

Commentary:

The Greek verb translated here as "puzzle" can also mean "to be entirely at loss" or "to be perplexed." [1] 

The women are entirely at loss because they look for him where he is not to be found.  He is not "among the dead."  He is alive.

Do I look for life where life is to be found - in God?  

Or do I look for it "among the dead," in things and people that do not live forever?  If I do that, I will for sure be entirely at loss.

------------------------------

[1]  Blueletterbible.org