Christ, the King - B (November 21, 2021)

 

What Kingdom?

John 18: 33b-37

 

When Pilate asks Jesus “Then you are a king?”, Pilate has in his mind one kind of being kings and one kingdom – the Roman Empire that had conquered other peoples and nations by military power and force.  That was why Pilate could not understand Jesus.

 

Similarly, we might want to ask ourselves, “If Jesus is my king, then what kind of kingdom do I belong to?  And in my life, what type of a kingdom that I project to others?”

 

In today’s preface (the prayer before the Holy), we proclaim the kingdom of Jesus being “an eternal and universal kingdom, a kingdom of truth and life, a kingdom of holiness and grace, a kingdom of justice, love and peace.”

 

May we live each day as citizens of such a kingdom. 

 

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33rd Sunday - B (November 14, 2021)

 

“… will not pass away”

Mark 13: 24-32

 

It’s autumn now.  Another year is soon to coming to an end.

At this time of the year, each of us should ask, “What matters in my life?”  and “Is it something that lasts forever?”

 

It’s also the season of Thanksgiving.  Let us thank God for what really matters – eternal life.

Let us thank God for God’s gift of love in Jesus and in the people in whom we experience God’s love.

 

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32nd Sunday - B (October 7, 2021)

 

To Love Is To Give All

Mark 12: 38 – 44

 

Last week, Jesus reaffirmed the priority of the two commandments of love.  And to love as Jesus teaches is to love with all that we are and have. 

 

Today, we witness the poor widow’s sacrificing love – in giving “her livelihood.” 

 

Moreover, Jesus is now already in Jerusalem.  In a few days, Jesus himself would give the ultimate gift of love – the gift of his very life on the cross (we also hear this in today’s 2^nd reading). 

 

“No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”  (John 15:13).

 

See how Jesus loves us! 

 

In the US, this week is Vocation Awareness Week.  Let’s pray that we may see our vocations as God’s gift of love to help us love as Jesus loves.  And may young people embrace God’s vocation for them as such.  

 

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31st Sunday - B (October 31, 2021)

 

Our Real ID

Mark 12: 28-34

 

We have various ID’s, emblems, membership cards, passports that indicate membership of organizations, clubs, or citizenship.

 

What identifies our membership or citizenship of the Kingdom of God?

 

Today, Jesus tells us that our membership of that Kingdom is to love God and to love our brothers and sisters.

 

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29th Sunday - B (October 17, 2021)

 

What to ask

Mark 10: 35-45

 

The request made by James and John, and the reaction from the other disciples expose their ambition.  It is such an opposite with the way of Jesus, who “came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” 

 

Jesus thus comments to James and John, “You don’t know what you are asking.”

 

Similarly, we do not always know what to ask for in prayer.

 

We should first ask for an ever deeper appreciation of Jesus’ self-sacrificing love for us.  Then, we would know to pray for what we each need to imitate Jesus in his way of service.    

 

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28th Sunday - B (October 10, 2021)

Treasure in Heaven

Mark 10: 17-30

 

Jesus sets the price for “treasure in heaven.”

 

The question is probably not “How much is it worth?”

 

It is worth everything and more. 

 

Therefore, Jesus still asks us, “Are you ready for what it might cost you to have this “treasure in heaven”? 

 

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27th Sunday - B (October 3, 2021)

 

“From the Beginning”

Mark 10: 2-16

 

Our lives have challenges and difficulties.  At times, we say, “It’s not supposed to be like this.”

 

So does Jesus.

 

He affirms us the goodness of the original plan that God has for God’s children and for all creation, “from the beginning.”

 

We must be realistic as we live the realities of daily life, with its blessings and challenges.  At the same time, let us not forget God’s plan “from the beginning.”  Let us keep striving for the fulfilment of God’s plan for each of us and for all of God’s creation.  

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