Daily Catholic Reflection: Sunday, November 24, 2024, The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, Year B

 

Dn 7:13-14

Ps 93:1, 1-2, 5

Rv 1:5-8

Jn 18:33b-37                                       Full Readings

Saint Andrew Dung-Lac and Companions

His Kingdom is not of this World But in this World

Brethren, we celebrate the solemnity of Christ the King of the whole universe on this Sunday. This feast marks the last Sunday of the liturgical year and opens the way for the Advent season. Next Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent. This last Sunday also invites us to think of the Last Day, the final judgement day, when Christ will take his seat and judge all people according to how we have lived in this world. We will be judged according to our actions, whether they are fit for the Kingdom or not. On this Sunday, Christ, through the readings, makes it clear that he is the King, but his kingdom is not of this world, but this world was significant for his mission.

Daily Catholic Reflection: Saturday, November 23, 2024, Saturday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time

Rv 11:4-12

Psalm 114: 1, 2, 9-10

Luke 20:27-40                   Full Readings

Saint Clement I, Pope and Martyr,   Blessed Miguel Agustín Pro, and Saint Columban, Abbot

No Marrying in Heaven

Brethren, the Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection of the body, whereas the Pharisees did. Thus, the Sadducees asked Jesus about the resurrection of the body, using an almost unheard-of example to make the resurrection look ridiculous and meaningless to those who believed in it and in the teachings of Jesus. Jesus taught that marriage is not destined to exceed earthly existence. People are transformed when they die. He also taught that resurrection is real after this life and that God is the God of the living and not of the dead. Those who live according to the will of God will be rewarded with eternal life. Since the Sadducees did not believe in all of these, in tricking Jesus, they referred to the Levite law found in Deuteronomy 25:5ff, which states that if a married man dies before having children, the brother of that man must marry his wife and provide descendants for his brother. Thus, the Sadducees presented the scenario where seven brothers die, each one subsequently taking the same wife. The question they posed was, “Now at the resurrection, whose wife will that woman be? For all seven had been married to her.”

Daily Catholic Reflection: Friday, November 22, 2024, Memorial of Saint Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr

Revelation 10:8-11

Psalm 119:14, 24, 72, 103, 111

Luke 19:45-48                                       Full Readings

Saint Cecilia

Zeal for the Temple

Brethren, how do we explain the only action in the Bible where Jesus uses physical force, that is, when Jesus drove out the money changers from the temple, as we see in today's Gospel?  Was it out of anger? Many church fathers say it is holy anger. But the gospel clearly states that it is out of zeal and love he has for his Father's to only turn it into the house of prayer where only God is worshipped and not anyone else, a house of prayer. In justification for his audacious action, Jesus quotes from the prophets Isaiah (Isaiah 56:7) and Jeremiah (Jeremiah 7:11). It was the desire to make Holy the temple that made him drive the money changers from the temple.

Daily catholic Reflection: Thursday, November 21, 2024, Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Rv 5:1-10

Ps 149:1B-2, 3-4, 5-6A AND 9B

Lk 19:41-44                         Full Readings

Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Lament Over Jerusalem

Jesus' earthly ministry centres and culminates in Jerusalem. Jerusalem in the Gospel of Luke is the centre of Jesus' ministry, even for the Apostles, because their mission started from Jerusalem towards the Gentile nations. The Scripture describes Jerusalem as the holy city, the throne of the Lord (Jeremiah 3:17); the place which God chose for his name to dwell there (1 Kings 11:13; 2 Kings 21:4; 2 Kings 23:27); and the holy mountain upon which God has set his king (Psalm 2:6). Jerusalem derives its name from the word "Salem," which means "peace." In Jerusalem stood the temple, which was a constant reminder to the people of God's presence with them. These are the people who would receive the blessings of God before everyone else. But did they realise this and grab all the opportunities, especially when Jesus came? No! Today in the Gospel, we see Jesus lamenting over Jerusalem for not accepting the visit of God through him.

Daily Catholic Reflection: Wednesday, November 20, 2024, Wednesday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time

Rv 4:1-11

Ps 150:1b-2, 3-4, 5a

Luke 19:11-28                        Full Readings

Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne

Talents Come with Responsibility

Jesus is still on the journey to Jerusalem, and on the way, he gives his final teachings and formation to his disciples, what they are to do, how they are to do it, when they are to do it, why they are to do it, and what benefits they are to get. These teachings were to help them in mission until the end. The church uses these teachings to help us evaluate how we are doing our part in God's mission but also to prepare us for the final coming of the Son of Man on the last day, especially in these last days of the church's liturgical year. Today's Gospel, in particular, not only prepares for the last day but also puts us in the proper context for the upcoming Solemnity of Christ the King, the final Sunday of the liturgical year, and the last day before Advent begins.

Daily catholic Reflection: Tuesday, November 19, 2024, Tuesday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time, Year B

Rv 3: 1-6, 14-22,

Ps 115:2-3a.3bc-4ab.5,

Luke 19:1-10                         Full Readings

Saint Agnes of Assisi

Open Up For Jesus

Brethren, Jesus's encounter with people was mainly to restore them to life and also to friendship with God. He came to save what was lost. Hence, he does not distinguish between class, race, or religion. All are dear to him. As shown by the first reading, He stands at the door and knocks. He “enters and shares a meal” with anyone who opens the door and receives him, offering salvation. The psalmist in Psalm 15 enumerates the qualities of a transformed person. These qualities can be attributed to Zacchaeus after his encounter with Jesus. Personal encounter with Jesus is very important. It brings about the needed transformation and salvation. We should learn from Zacchaeus that if we want to be saved, we must also make an effort. We need to climb the Sycamore tree and seek out Jesus. This Sycamore tree was also climbed by Jesus himself as he hung on the cross to save us; we too need to climb our crosses and seek Jesus in order to be saved.

Daily Catholic Reflection: Monday, November 18, 2024, Monday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time

 

Rv 1:1-4; 2:1-5

Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4, 6

Lk 18:35-43                  Full Readings

Dedication of the Basilicas of Saints Peter and Paul

What Do You Want Me to Do for You?

Brethren, we are approaching the end of the liturgical year. The church provides us with readings related to the end of time, calling us to prepare for the end of time, for we never know when the day when the Son of Man is going to come back and sit on his throne to judge the living and the dead. This call for preparation for the coming of the Son of Man is not to instil fear in us but to encourage us to put on the armour of faith, love, and live according to God's will. With this, we shall be found worthy to enjoy eternity with Christ.