33rd Sunday - C

Commentary

Luke 21: 5-19

“Do Not Follow Them”

The people in this Gospel passage admire the temple's “costly stones and votive offerings.” Their admiration for the temple is limited to the external things.

Do they pay attention to the God who dwells in that temple?

So often, we allow ourselves to be caught up in the temporary and external things, even if they are good. We even put our hopes and trust in things that do not last for ever.

We also put our hopes and trust in people, who are like us, merely God's creatures. They are not the Creator or the Savior themselves.

As a result, we might fail to see the God who gives us all good things and all blessings out of love for us.

33rd Sunday - C (November 13, 2016)

Readings

Image Detail from the Arch of Titus showing the enslavement of the residents of Jerusalem.
Source:  http://www.progressiveinvolvement.com

32nd Sunday - C

Commentary

Luke 20:27-38

The Resurrection Matters

The Sadducees “deny that there is a resurrection.” 

At the time of Jesus, the Sadducees happened to be the elite Temple leaders.  They in fact collaborated with the Roman occupiers to maintain the status quo.

Ironically, when the Romans destroyed the Jerusalem Temple in A.D. 70, the Sadducees were also annihilated and ceased to exist.   

When a person does not believe in the resurrection and eternal life, this earthly existence can lose its meaning and purpose. 

On the contrary, by now – Chapter 20 in Luke’s Gospel, Jesus has arrived in Jerusalem.  In two chapters (by the end of Chapter 22), he would be arrested and crucified.  He died.  Then he was raised and became the source of resurrection for all humanity.

His whole earthly life and ministry is oriented towards this moment of his death and resurrection.  His life has a purpose.  He lives for God and others. 

It does matter on what and whom we build this earthly existence of ours.  

32nd Sunday - C (November 6, 2016)

Readings

Image source:  www.agnusday.org

31st Sunday - C

Commentary

Luke 19:1-10

“I Must Stay at Your House”

In Luke’s account of the life and ministry of Jesus, this event is the last stop on Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem.  The stop is not a part of his plan since he “intended to pass through the town” of Jericho.

Yet, Jesus makes the unplanned stop.  He practically invites himself to dinner at the house of a sinner.

And Zacchaeus receives him with joy.

He changes his plan to spend time with a sinner.  Truly, he “has come to seek and to save what was lost.”

I can keep Jesus out if I do not have Zacchaeus' attitude.  But no sins of mine can keep Him out. 

31st Sunday - C (October 30, 2016)

Readings

Image source: http://www.reverendfun.com

30th Sunday - C

Commentary

Luke 18: 9-14

Knowing Self and Knowing God

Last week, we reviewed the four types of verbal prayer (prayer of adoration and thanksgiving, of petition, of intercession, and of contrition).

Today, the Gospel offers us an example of a sinner who knows how to pray a prayer of contrition.  The tax collector knows himself and trusts in God’s goodness and mercy.  Thus, he is able to humbly ask for forgiveness. 

The Pharisee, on the contrary, misses the chance to offer a prayer of thanksgiving.  He has done all the right things, at least according to his list.  But he gives credit all to himself instead of to God.  In fact, he brags and puts himself above “the rest of humanity.”  He really does not know himself, nor does he know God.  Therefore, he fails.