Search

Results

Exploring the word

29 Nov 2015 - First Sunday of Advent, Cycle C

THE BEGINNING OF something new always feels suspiciously like the end of the world. That was how each new school year affected me as a kid: like the death of another wonderful, liberating summer. Each birthday reminds us we’ll never be 10, 20, 50 again. What will we be is yet to be seen, but we know for sure the old year’s gone for good. Jesus has been announcing Kingdom Coming from the start of his ministry, way back in Galilee. It’s always been coming. Nothing has been more clear or incessantly repeated as this declaration of arrival. But the advent of a new reign must come at the expense of the old one. Does any governor doubt this, when he or she leaves the state house at the end of a term of service? Our retirement years can’t begin until we surrender our careers. We can’t enjoy the new home if we refuse to move out of the former address. If you want to wear the new suit, by all means take off the old clothes! In the realm we presently inhabit, things progress linearly. We haven’t yet discovered how to bilocate or straddle yesterday and tomorrow so as to enjoy them all at once. Today looks rather like this: some nice moments, happy hours, healthy families, and good friends; discoveries and inventions that will be useful; a few good books to read and movies worth seeing this season. And also, a lot of other stuff: wars and social unrest, injustice and skullduggery in high places, violence against spouses and children, religious leaders using their office for personal ambition, employers abusing their authority, people starving to death for no good reason, strange new diseases being identified under a microscope in some obscure lab we’ll be reading about in horror tomorrow. All things considered, is this the world we want to hang our hats on? In the nice moments, most of us are quick to say yes, please! I freely admit this is my favorite world so far. Even with arthritis, personal disappointments, and the loss of loved ones to death, I’m very particular about Planet Earth and the year 2015. It would be false to say I’d be glad to cash in these chips for the great hereafter—much less to watch sun, moon, and stars grow fretful while seas roar and people drop like flies at the end of the age. But tomorrow is coming; today is passing away. Trust this. Count on this. The new creation will replace the old as certainly as it will surpass it. If these are the only terms acceptable to us, tomorrow’s going to feel . . . like the end of the world. So begins Advent, sweeping away the old reality and demanding something new! Related scripture links Beatitudes: Matt. 5:3-12; Luke 6:2-26 He who lives by the sword: Matt. 26:52 New heavens, new earth: 2 Pet. 3:13

Authors Alice Camille

kingdom coming beginnings

Restricted
Exploring the word

22 Nov 2015 - Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, Cycle B

TODAY’S CELEBRATION HAS the grandest sounding title on the church calendar: Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe! With a lead-in like that, any secular holiday would include fireworks and speeches, parades and pageantry. There would be formal dinners in resplendent ballrooms. The occasion would cry for red-carpet couture, flashing jewels, and, oh yes, at least one golden crown! But Christ the King isn’t celebrated like that. Some years our gospel for this day centers our attention on the horror of the cross—about as far removed from a tickertape parade as the conscious mind can go. Other years we’re invited to consider the urgency of Judgment Day, when Christ the King doubles as Just and Final Judge of the Universe. This year, our focus is comparatively small and intimate. It involves a conversation between two men. If it weren’t for the stakes involved, if one man didn’t hold the authority to execute the other, this conversation might be mistaken for a casual political debate. As it is, for the duration of this exchange, all of heaven and earth might be holding its breath. Pontius Pilate isn’t a king. But he’s a governor and where he governs his power is nearly absolute. The backwater that is Palestine is not an enviable territory to rule over, but Caesar is behind him and the centurions under his control are weapons of mass destruction. When Pilate asks a question, the answer could be the death of a man, or a village. When the question is “Are you a king?” the answer had better be the right one. How can Jesus answer this question? It’s too small to admit the correct answer. The King of the Universe is technically, yes, the King of the Jews too. It’s like asking the president of the United States if he has the authority to order a pizza. Yes, and international military interventions as well. When a question is the wrong question, when it’s too small, it’s hard to tell the big truth that doesn’t fit inside its constraints. “My kingdom doesn’t belong to this world,” Jesus replies. Does Pilate even hear this? How can he? Too often we ask the wrong questions of God and of a truth that’s bigger than anything in our heads, more expansive than the capacity of our hearts. Can we hear the answers we receive, and do they sometimes sound like silence? Maybe the next time we charge into prayer with the narrow question—“God, why are you doing this?”—we might try a more expansive approach: “God, what are you doing? What’s going on?” We might even add, as Jesus does, the most significant response: “And what would you have me do?” Related scripture links God as king: Pss. 93, 95-99; Isa. 43:14-21; 52:7-10; Zeph. 3:14-15 Matthew’s kingdom sayings: Matt. 4:17; 5:20; 6:10, 33; 7:21; 22:9; 26:29; 28:18 Paul and kingdom: 1 Cor. 4:20; 6:9-10; 15:50; Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 5:5; Col. 1:13-14; 4:11; 1 Thess. 2:11-12; 2 Thess. 1:5

Authors Alice Camille

king king of the jews

Restricted
Exploring the word

22 Nov 2015 - Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, Cycle B

TODAY’S CELEBRATION HAS the grandest sounding title on the church calendar: Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe! With a lead-in like that, any secular holiday would include fireworks and speeches, parades and pageantry. There would be formal dinners in resplendent ballrooms. The occasion would cry for red-carpet couture, flashing jewels, and, oh yes, at least one golden crown! But Christ the King isn’t celebrated like that. Some years our gospel for this day centers our attention on the horror of the cross—about as far removed from a tickertape parade as the conscious mind can go. Other years we’re invited to consider the urgency of Judgment Day, when Christ the King doubles as Just and Final Judge of the Universe. This year, our focus is comparatively small and intimate. It involves a conversation between two men. If it weren’t for the stakes involved, if one man didn’t hold the authority to execute the other, this conversation might be mistaken for a casual political debate. As it is, for the duration of this exchange, all of heaven and earth might be holding its breath. Pontius Pilate isn’t a king. But he’s a governor and where he governs his power is nearly absolute. The backwater that is Palestine is not an enviable territory to rule over, but Caesar is behind him and the centurions under his control are weapons of mass destruction. When Pilate asks a question, the answer could be the death of a man, or a village. When the question is “Are you a king?” the answer had better be the right one. How can Jesus answer this question? It’s too small to admit the correct answer. The King of the Universe is technically, yes, the King of the Jews too. It’s like asking the president of the United States if he has the authority to order a pizza. Yes, and international military interventions as well. When a question is the wrong question, when it’s too small, it’s hard to tell the big truth that doesn’t fit inside its constraints. “My kingdom doesn’t belong to this world,” Jesus replies. Does Pilate even hear this? How can he? Too often we ask the wrong questions of God and of a truth that’s bigger than anything in our heads, more expansive than the capacity of our hearts. Can we hear the answers we receive, and do they sometimes sound like silence? Maybe the next time we charge into prayer with the narrow question—“God, why are you doing this?”—we might try a more expansive approach: “God, what are you doing? What’s going on?” We might even add, as Jesus does, the most significant response: “And what would you have me do?” Related scripture links God as king: Pss. 93, 95-99; Isa. 43:14-21; 52:7-10; Zeph. 3:14-15 Matthew’s kingdom sayings: Matt. 4:17; 5:20; 6:10, 33; 7:21; 22:9; 26:29; 28:18 Paul and kingdom: 1 Cor. 4:20; 6:9-10; 15:50; Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 5:5; Col. 1:13-14; 4:11; 1 Thess. 2:11-12; 2 Thess. 1:5

Authors Alice Camille

king king of the jews

Restricted
In other words

22 Nov 2015 - Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, Cycle B

Pilate said, “Are you the ‘King of the Jews’?” Jesus answered, “Are you saying this on your own, or did others tell you this about me?” Pilate said, “Do I look like a Jew? Your people and your high priests turned you over to me. What did you do?” “My kingdom,” said Jesus, “doesn’t consist of what you see around you. If it did, my followers would fight so that I wouldn’t be handed over to the Jews. But I’m not that kind of king, not the world’s kind of king.” Then Pilate said, “So, are you a king or not?” Jesus answered, “You tell me. Because I am King, I was born and entered the world so that I could witness to the truth. Everyone who cares for truth, who has any feeling for the truth, recognizes my voice” (from John 18). Taken from The Message: Catholic/Ecumenical Edition by Eugene Peterson (ACTA Publications, 2014); actapublications.com; 800-397-228

king king of the jews

Restricted
In other words

22 Nov 2015 - Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, Cycle B

Pilate said, “Are you the ‘King of the Jews’?” Jesus answered, “Are you saying this on your own, or did others tell you this about me?” Pilate said, “Do I look like a Jew? Your people and your high priests turned you over to me. What did you do?” “My kingdom,” said Jesus, “doesn’t consist of what you see around you. If it did, my followers would fight so that I wouldn’t be handed over to the Jews. But I’m not that kind of king, not the world’s kind of king.” Then Pilate said, “So, are you a king or not?” Jesus answered, “You tell me. Because I am King, I was born and entered the world so that I could witness to the truth. Everyone who cares for truth, who has any feeling for the truth, recognizes my voice” (from John 18). Taken from The Message: Catholic/Ecumenical Edition by Eugene Peterson (ACTA Publications, 2014); actapublications.com; 800-397-228

king king of the jews

Restricted
Homily themes

22 Nov 2015 - Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, Cycle B

Are you the king . . . ? Jesus is clearly a king, but what kind, and of whom? Pilate was chiefly concerned about Jesus as a real threat to Roman political power, which was in fact the charge his enemies made against him in order to condemn him. I could be that, Jesus says, but if that were my purpose those around me would be fighting for me. Rather, “My kingdom does not belong to this world,” and in that other world he is a king: enrobed by the Father with everlasting domain, the Alpha and the Omega, the almighty. With such ultimate power Jesus could choose to be the “ruler of the kings of the earth” and its empires, but what is really on trial here is not so much Jesus’ kingship as it is what people make of it. Do they reject him and persecute his followers, or do they really believe he is the incarnation of God’s truth and thereby become a holy kingdom who gives glory to him for the salvation he offers?

king

Restricted
Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, Cycle B

22 Nov 2015

SUNDAY SUMMARY Daniel 7:13-14 The human being par excellence is presented to the Ancient of Days. Psalm 93:1, 1-2, 5 The reign of God is not to be moved, and God’s majesty cannot be surpassed. Revelation 1:5-8 Jesus is revealed as the ruler above all earthly thrones and powers. John 18:33b-37 Pilate seeks to determine what sort of king Jesus might be.

Daniel 7:13-14 Psalm 93:1, 1-2, 5 Revelation 1:5-8 John 18:33b-37 Christ the King

Restricted
Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B

08 Nov 2015

SUNDAY SUMMARY 1 Kings 17:10-16 A Hebrew prophet takes refuge with a foreign widow in the land of Baal. Psalm 146:7, 8-9, 9-10 Whatever is lacking, whatever is needed, the Lord supplies. Hebrews 9:24-28 Jesus is revealed as the one true priest who takes away sin. Mark 12:38-44 Jesus contrasts the scribes who devour with the widow who gives.

1 Kings 17:10-16 Psalm 146:7, 8-9, 9-10 Hebrews 9:24-28 Mark 12:38-44

Restricted
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B

09 Aug 2015

SUNDAY SUMMARY 1 Kings 19:4-8 The prophet Elijah loses heart for his mission, till an angel revives him. Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 Human beings need tangible signs of intangible realities. Taste and see. Ephesians 4:30—5:2 If we are in Christ, we must look like Christ. No malice, fury, reviling will do. John 6:41-51 The crowd is baffled that Jesus claims some sort of divine origin they can’t understand.

1 Kings 19:4-8 Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 Ephesians 4:30-5:2 John 6:41-51

Restricted
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B

26 Jul 2015

SUNDAY SUMMARY 2 Kings 4:42-44 The prophet of God expects the miraculous. Everyone else expects a shortfall. Psalm 145:10-11, 15-16, 17-18 God can satisfy the needs of the world. The eyes of the hopeful know where to look. Ephesians 4:1-6 The call we have received is marvelous. Are we ready to live up to it? John 6:1-15 Jesus feeds the countryside like a king. The crowd is prepared to crown him.

2 Kings 4:42-44 Psalm 145:10-11, 15-16, 17-18 Ephesians 4:1-6 John 6:1-15

Restricted

← Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 28 29 Next →