Corpus Christi Blog

Merry Christmas, everyone.  Yes it is still the Christmas season for one more week.  In this season all people are invited to begin to uncover the mystery of who Jesus Christ is in His fullness.  Indeed Jesus Christ is a mystery.  A couple of days ago, we celebrated in faith that Jesus, who is the eternal Son of God, the fulfillment of all the prophets in the Old Testament, the Messiah, and the Christ, was sent by God the Father to become a human baby who will eventually save his people.  And today the mystery of God’s plan of salvation continues as we highlight the fact that God chose to carry out this plan by means of a family- the Holy Family, Jesus, Mary and Joseph. 

My brothers and sisters in Christ, today we celebrate the most joyful and exciting moment in all of history, God becoming man.  But this celebration of Christmas this year is not ordinary because Pope Francis has declared this year to be a Jubilee Year of Mercy.  Beginning just a couple of weeks ago, on Dec. 8, Pope Francis has called the Church to enter into this year in a particular and purposeful way, to receive the ever-present, ever-new Mercy.  And so today, we celebrate the birth of the Savior of the World, we rejoice that Mercy has been born into our lives.

I heard that a young child asked her mommy, why aren’t people happy when they come to Mass?  It is a good question, how would you answer that little girl?  As I thought about how I might answer that question, I thought well perhaps for some the respect and reverence they have for God causes them to be more focused.  For others, perhaps being on their best behavior before God means they are more serious, and so they avoid being too be joyful at the risk of offending God with their joy.

Such inspiring and uplifting readings we are given today, let us jump right into what they mean to our lives.  Our 1st reading is a prophecy from Baruch to the people of God in Jerusalem; this same prophecy is echoed by Isaiah as well.  It begins, “Jerusalem, take off your robe of mourning and misery; put on the splendor of glory from God forever”. For our purposes today, whenever we read ‘Jerusalem’- we can insert ‘Church’- for the Church is the New Jerusalem.    So we can read it this way, ‘Church, take off your robe of mourning and misery; put on the splendor of glory from God forever’.  Our 1st reading goes on to say, “Up, Jerusalem (or for us- Up, Church) stand upon the heights.  For God has commanded every mountain be made low and every depth be filled and made level, for God is leading Israel in joy, (leading the Church) in joy by the light of his glory with mercy and justice”. 

Today we begin a new season, a new time in the church year, we entered into the season of Advent, the season of preparation for a new birth.  Steve, our parish manager, and his wife just gave birth to their third addition to their family; thanks be to God a healthy Michael James was born a couple of days ago.  Steve and Jamie have been preparing themselves and their household both spiritually and financially for the coming of the new birth into their lives.  Likewise, the rest of the parish staff and I are trying to prepare ourselves for work without Steve’s presence in the office for a little while, even though we are happy for them and know it is coming, we’re still not fully ready.  So, like it or not, ready or not, this season is indeed a time of change, a time of preparation, and like the Mandarino household, time for a new birth in our lives.  Let’s look at today’s readings to help ready and prepare us for this new birth.

Today, the last Sunday of Ordinary Time is aptly called Christ the King Sunday, in which we celebrate Jesus Christ, the King of the Universe, our King.  The word ‘king’ probably summons many images in our minds.  We might think of dictator over a kingdom.  We might define the king as the one who rules, the one who has all power and authority.  Maybe we think of a king who makes the rules that are for his own gain or serve his needs and desires, or makes rules to further his power and prestige and safeguard his authority; a king who forces the people to obey his rules, or else they are punished or die.  What such strong emotion that word can bring up, it’s no wonder in today’s society people don’t like to obey authority.  People don’t like being treated like serfs, slaving away just to serve the king, and really get nothing in return.

Next week is the end of the liturgical year in which appropriately celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King; and ready or not in 2 weeks Advent and the start of the new liturgical year begins.  So today, as we approach the end, our readings talk about the end times.  Some priests don’t like to preach about the end times.  So Deacon, you’re in luck, I don’t mind it.  Many people don’t want to think about death or the end of their lives, let alone the end of the world as we know it.  We might think of the Apocalypse- and the scary meaning that word has portrayed in all the books and movies which deal with the apocalypse or the destruction of the world.  However, the word apocalypse, in Greek, literally means “a lifting of the veil or revelation.  Let’s be brave and look at these perhaps daunting but very informative readings to see what they reveal.

I must admit I was having a hard time deciding what our Lord was calling me to share with you this weekend in this homily.  I was asking myself,- do I preach on the Gospel or the 2nd reading- both are so full of great inspiration, but I can’t do both (or we will be here all day).  I decided to preach on the 2nd reading, but if you let me, I’m going to give you a little homework assignment to do in your prayer time on the Gospel. 

The disciples of Jesus, James and John, sons of Zebedee, asked Jesus a question.  “Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left.”  A simple question, but a very powerful and meaningful request.  To sit at the right and left were the 2 most important positions at a banquet, to be closest to the host.  It is important for us to fully understand the significance of James and John’s question.  In doing so we will better understand Jesus’ answer, and gain a better understanding of the word Glory. 

My brothers and sisters, each of our readings today describe what faith is and what faith should look like.  May our faith be inspired and convicted by the word of God in today’s readings.  In our Gospel, Jesus asks his disciples the all-important question of faith- who do you say that I am?  Who is Jesus Christ?  That is a question we all need to answer for ourselves. 

Reflecting and praying over today’s readings were very inspiring for me personally, hopefully they will be for you too.  We have an opportunity to look at the people in both the old and New Testament and see how they relate to God, and decide for ourselves how we are going to act.

Today we are blessed to continue to unpack the most important chapter in Scripture to understand the Holy Eucharist, the Gospel of John chapter 6.  Have you read the chapter in its entirety lately?  It is necessary that every Catholic understand John 6 if you want to embrace the truth for yourself and help others believe in the greatest gift God has given us. 

We continue our 4 part homily series on the great Eucharistic discourse, John chapter 6.  Last week you might remember Jesus said in the Gospel that the Jews who had just been fed with five loaves and two fish, were looking for a sign.  The Jews were looking for a sign to believe that Jesus was indeed the Savior.  And Jesus encouraged them not to live for ordinary bread that perishes, but to live for the bread that endures to eternal life.  And Jesus went on to say to the Jews, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst”.  Last week, Fr. Rey inspired us to hunger for Jesus, for Jesus is the only one that will satisfy our every hunger.  And then Fr. Rey reminded us that faith in the Eucharist is a gift.