Holy Family (December 30, 2018)

Jesus Advanced in Wisdom and Age

Luke 2: 41-52

Reading this passage, we can get caught up in the details of Jesus going missing (how could that even happen?) and on Jesus’ response to Mary, and overlook three details that Luke include in this passage.

1. Luke tells us that “each year” [the family] “went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover.”  This and other details in Luke’s account of the events in his Gospel up to this point tell us that Jesus’ parents were devoted to God in their religious practices.  Furthermore, they raised Jesus in the practice of the Jewish faith.
2. Jesus is often portrayed in stories, paintings, etc. as lecturing the teachers.  Luke, on the contrary, tells us that Jesus was a twelve-year-old, “sitting in the midst of the teachers,” learning from them by “listening to them and asking them questions.” [1]
3. While the parents “did not understand what he said to them, [Jesus] went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them.”  He indeed lived as their son, “obedient to them.”

These three elements, while often overlooked, teach us some valuable lessons for good family life.  The Holy Family of Nazareth lived their religious faith.  Jesus was obedient to his parents.  And he learned from the wisdom and experience of his parents and others.  

 
Then Luke concludes that in such an environment, with such attitudes, “Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor before God and man.”

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[1] John Petty, www.progressiveinvolvement.com

Image source:  www.agnusday.org  

4th Sunday of Advent - C (December 23, 2018)

God in the Ordinary

Luke 1: 39-45

Mary is from Nazareth, a town of no significance [1].  She goes to visit her cousin Elizabeth who lives in a town with no name worth mentioning (Luke simply wrote, “a town of Judah.”). 

It is an ordinary meeting of two relatives, in an unimportant place.

A simple act of kindness on Mary’s part.

Yet, God is present.

Elizabeth and her son John recognize the presence of the Savior as soon as they hear Mary’s greeting. 

Ordinary people.  Ordinary situation.  There, God is present. 

 [1] In John 1: 46, Nathaniel judges Nazareth, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?”

Image source:  Author:  an unnamed Vietnamese artist, https://tillchrist.wordpress.com 

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3rd Sunday of Advent - C (December 16, 2018)

Good News

Luke 3: 10-18

People ask John, “What should we do?”.  In response, John does not demand from them anything extraordinary.  John tells them to share what they have with those who have less.  The same applies even to the soldiers and tax collectors of an illegitimate government.  Do your job and don’t abuse your power or position.

Do what is expected of us and share with those who have less. 

That is how we are to prepare the way for the Lord and that is the “good news” of John’s message.  

 Image source:  www.agnusday.org

 

2nd Sunday of Advent - C (December 9, 2018)

The Word of God Came to John

Luke 3:1-6

Luke introduces a year, then a list of names of people and places to provide a concrete setting for “the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah.”

Into concrete situations, places, and people that the word of God comes into human history and our individual life.  Advent calls us to renew our encounter with God in the concreteness of life.

Similarly, each son and daughter of God, you and I, has a unique and concrete place in God’s plan of salvation for all humanity.  Advent reminds us of our vocation of furthering the Kingdom of God in the concreteness of our lives.  That is our vocation until “all flesh [has] see the salvation of our God.” 

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1st Sunday of Advent - C

To Love Is to Be Ready

1 Thessalonians 3:12 - 4:2

One of the tenets of the Christian faith is the belief that the created world will one day end.  On that day, the Lord of the universe will return to judge.

Jesus’ words in today’s Gospel can be frightening for those who are not ready when he returns.

But for those who are ready, his return means “redemption is at hand.”

St. Paul reminds us the way to live in order to be ready when the Lord returns, namely to love one another with the love God gives us, and to grow in holiness.  Paul prays, “May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we have for you, so as to strengthen your hearts, to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones.” 

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Solemnity of Christ the King - B (November 25, 2018)

Christ’s Kingdom Does Not Belong to this World

John 18: 33b-37

The author of the Book of Revelation professes that Jesus Christ “has made us into a kingdom, priests for his God and Father.”  Jesus did that when he came to live in the world, then died and rose from the dead.

That kingdom is present in this world, but that “kingdom does not belong to this world” (Gospel).

In this time of the year, we can get caught up in shopping, in buying and selling.  We live in the world where people fight over influence, compete for popularity and fame, where jealousy, hatred, violence, and war have not been banished. 

Where are our priorities?  Am I building a kingdom in this world or Christ’s kingdom, which does not belong to this world?

 Image source:  Statue of Christ the Redeemer, Basilica of St. Peter's, Vatican

www.wikipedia.org

 

32nd Sunday - B (November 11, 2018)

The Offering of Life

Mark 12:38-44

The poor widow “has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.”

The word for “livelihood” can also be translated as “life.”

Besides, logically speaking, since she has contributed all she has to live on she has offered to God her very life.

Last week, Jesus taught the commandment of loving God with one’s whole heart, soul, mind, and strength. 

This week, Jesus gives us the example of this woman who offers God her life.

And by this time, Jesus is already in Jerusalem.  Soon, he will sacrifice his very life as the gift of love to God and to all humanity. 

When we receive the Eucharist, we receive this gift of Jesus’ life.  And He empowers us to love as he does.  

Image source:  www.agnusday.org

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31st Sunday - B (November 4, 2018)

“You are not far from the kingdom of God”

Mark 12:28-34

The scribe acknowledges Jesus’ teaching of the greatest commandment – love God and love your neighbor.  And Jesus tells him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”

Jesus came to inaugurated the kingdom of God.  The kingdom of God is not just about the future or the afterlife.  It will reach its fullness then.  But it is already here among us. 

The more we love, the more we live and spread that kingdom. 

 

Image source:  www.agnusday.org

30th Sunday - B (October 28, 2018)

“Have Pity on Me”

Mark 10:46-52

Two weeks ago, in Mark 10: 17-30, the man who “had many possessions” addressed Jesus only as “good teacher,” and asked him “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”

Last week, in Mark 10: 35-45, James and John also considered Jesus “teacher” and said to him, “We want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.”

In today’s Gospel, the blind beggar Bartimaeus recognizes Jesus as “Jesus, Son of David” and “Master.”  He keeps calling out to Jesus, “Have pity on me.”

The blind man sees.  He gets it.  He knows who he is.  More significantly, he knows who Jesus is.  

Image source:  www.agnusday.org

29th Sunday - B (October 21, 2018)

Ransom and True Freedom

Mark 10: 35-45

Last week, a person let his possessions keep him from following Jesus.  It’s the temptation of having things in our control.

This week, the Gospel warns us of the danger of the desire for power and positions.  It’s the temptation of controlling people.

Meanwhile, Jesus surrendered even the control of his life.  He “gave his life as a ransom” to give us true freedom.   

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28th Sunday - B (October 14, 2018)

Impossible

Mark 10:17-30

We continue with Chapter 10 of Mark’s Gospel.

Last week, Jesus taught his followers to have the attitude of a child – that of dependence on God.

Today, we hear of an attitude that is contrary to dependence on God.  The man has many possessions.  Consequently, he is used to be in control.  That’s why he asked Jesus, “What must I do?”  It’s hard for him to surrender that control and depend on God.  For him, that is impossible. 

What in my life makes me think that I am in charge, and makes it impossible for me to depend on God? 

Image source:  www.agnusday.org

27th Sunday - B (October 7, 2018)

Gratitude

Mark 10: 2-16

Jesus tells us to “accept the kingdom of God like a child.” 

Children depends on their parents for everything.  So do we on God. 

As we get older, naturally, we can, and we need to do more things for ourselves.  But we then run the risk of thinking that we are in charge, and that we do not need God.

Everything comes from God, beginning with our very existence.

 

Image source:  Charles Lock Eastlake - Christ Blessing Little Children, 1839,
commons.wikimedia.org

 

26th Sunday - B (September 30, 2018)

Small

Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

The word small is one of the themes of today’s Gospel. 

Be small.   Thinking of themselves as important, the disciples tried to stop a person who was driving out demons.  The man did so in Jesus’ name, but the disciples said, “he does not follow us.”

Care for the little ones, Jesus tells us.

And even a cup of water is enough.  Small things.

St. Therese, the Little Flower, whose feast day is tomorrow lived the spirit of Jesus’ Gospel well.  She did small things with great love. 

 Image source:  Diocese of Westminster Youth Ministry, http://dowym.com

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24th Sunday - B (September 16, 2018)

“Who do You Say that I Am?”

Mark 8:27-35

When Peter, in the names of the disciples, identified Jesus as the Christ, “he warned them not to tell anyone about him.”

Yet, Jesus “spoke openly” about his suffering, rejection, death, and resurrection.

Jesus is not hiding his identity.  Nor is he afraid of people knowing about him. 

What important is the correct understanding of who Jesus is, the Jesus who accepts the cross and crucifixion out of love.  Peter and the disciples either do not have or are not ready for this understanding. 

Maybe it’s time to evaluate my own understanding of who Jesus is.  I need to ask Jesus for the wisdom to know him as he truly is, and not my misconceptions or my own projections about him.   

Image source:  www.agnusday.org 

 

23rd Sunday - B (September 9, 2016)

“He Comes to Save You”

Mark  7:31-37

In last week’s Gospel, Jesus was in the Jewish area.  There, he “summoned the crowd again” and taught them.

Today, this Gospel passage begins with a list of names. They are all locations in gentile territory.  Jesus goes there to bring God’s salvation.

Jesus brings God’s salvation to both Jews and gentiles, as Isaiah had prophesized (today’s First Reading).  Salvation is God’s plan for humanity.  Salvation is always God’s initiative.  

Image source:  www.agnusday.org

22nd Sunday - B (September 2, 2018)

“Jesus Summoned the Crowd”

Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

We humans are bodily beings.  We express our thoughts, beliefs, and emotions through perceivable attitudes, body language, facial expressions, words, actions, etc.   In fact, we communicate our very being in the same manners. 

So do we express and communicate our relationships with God and with our brothers and sisters through rituals, actions, words, emotions, etc. 

What matters, as Jesus teaches us, is that our external expressions must not for show.  They must come from our hearts. 

It might help to preserve this awareness and attitude when we remember that our existence and all we are come from God’s graciousness.  As we again see in this Gospel passage, it was Jesus who took the initiative to instruct us the way of God as “Jesus summoned the crowd” and taught them.  

Image source:  www.agnusday.org

21st Sunday - B (August 26, 2018)

“We Have Come to Believe”

John 6:60-69

“You have the words of eternal life.”  “You are the Holy One of God.”

Those are affirmative statements of faith that Peter professes.  They are even more significant considering that “many of Jesus’ disciples” now walk away from him.

Peter and the rest of the Twelve could not have just profess such faith in Jesus on the spot.  It is the result of a process.  Peter says, “We have come to believe and are convinced.”

Faith is first and foremost a gift from God.  However, Peter and his friends “have come to believe” in Jesus because they have been with him, listened to him, and shared life with him.

Only by spending time with Jesus can we come to believe and are convinced that he has the words of eternal life and that he is the Holy One of God.  

(Image source: https://www.qumran2.net ) 

20th Sunday - B (August 19, 2018)

The Eucharist – The Gift of Eternal Life

John 6:51-58

In the Gospel of John, Jesus uses the phrase “eternal life” more than he does in all 3 other Gospels combine.  This is a major theme in John’s faith in Jesus.

In Chapter 3, Jesus speaks of eternal life as the gift of God’s love for the world in giving his only Son: “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.”  (3:16).

Later, Jesus prays during the Last Supper, summarizing his mission that he spoke of in 3:16: “Now this is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ.”  Knowing Jesus is having eternal life.

And in today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks of his body and blood as the gift of eternal life already given to us even now.  “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life.”  (Note:  the verb is in the present tense).

Knowing Jesus is not some abstract knowledge.  In his body and blood, we encounter the Divine and God’s loving gift of eternal life.

Image source:  www.agnusday.org

19th Sunday - B (August 12, 2018)

“My Flesh for the Life of the World”
John 6:41-51

In this short passage, 10 verses in total, Jesus repeats five times the universality of God’s salvation. Though they are different, the words “whoever,” “anyone,” and “everyone” convey the same meaning. 

God’s salvation is given to all humanity in the coming, death, and resurrection of God’s only Son, Jesus Christ. 

This salvation continues to be given to us today in the Eucharist – “The bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” 

18th Sunday - B (August 5, 2018)

“Give Us This Bread Always”

John 6:24-35

People went looking for Jesus because they “ate the loaves and were filled.”  Now they want more of the same kind of bread.

That causes them to lose sight of the greater gift Jesus has for them – “the bread of life.”

What things that do not last forever, or desire and expectation of them, draw me away from the bread of life?

Image source: https://www.qumran2.net

17th Sunday - B (July 29, 2018)

Abundance

John 6: 1-15

Beginning today, for five Sundays, instead of the Gospel of Mark, we’ll have Chapter 6 from the Gospel of John. Jesus speaks of himself as the Bread of Life for the most part of this chapter.

The chapter begins with this miracle.  And John certainly highlights the abundance of the food that Jesus gives.

What humans can offer is so limited.  “Two hundred days’ wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little.”  “A boy has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?”

In contrast, Jesus gave them “as much as they wanted.”  There was “more than they could eat.”  They “had their fill.”  And there were still twelve full baskets of leftovers.  

Image source:  www.agnusday.org