Corpus Christi Blog

Our Gospel today finishes the story from last week.  You might remember in last week’s Gospel Jesus went all around the region of Galilee and preached in the Synagogues.  He was praised by everyone everywhere he went.  Then the Gospel last week said that Jesus went to his own hometown of Nazareth, where he grew up as a child.  At the time of Jesus, Nazareth was a small town, somewhere around 250 people or so, so obviously it was a town where, everyone knew everyone.  Upon entering the town, it was the Sabbath, so Jesus went to the Synagogue.  A lot of people had gathered to hear Jesus preach.  I think it is important to think what the purpose and mind frame might have been for people coming to the Synagogue. 

Our Gospel today begins with the opening verses of Luke’s Gospel,  then jumps 3 chapters in which Luke describes how Jesus came about through the Virgin Mary, and with John the Baptist who was sent to prepare the people for Christ’s arrival.  Then our Gospel picks up again in Chapter 4 of Luke into the beginning of Jesus public ministry.  I am going to start my reflections highlighting our first reading from the Book of Nehemiah and Luke’s opening verses. 

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.

Today we celebrate All Saints day.  We celebrate not only all the canonized Saints (with big S), but indeed all the people who are in Heaven, for everyone in Heaven is a saint (at least with small s).  Raise your hand if you want to go to Heaven?  Good I think I see everyone’s hands raised.  How many of you desire your loved ones to go to Heaven?  Good.  How many of you want every person on earth to go to Heaven?  If we want every person to go to Heaven, then we have a lot of work to do, don’t we?

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.