2ND SUNDAY OF ADVENT, YEAR B

Isaiah 40:1-5.9-11
Psalm 84:9614
2Peter 1:8-14
Mark 1:1-8

A Voice that Cries in the Wilderness....

The Advent season is a period of joyful hope, for our Saviour is coming to console us and make all things new. This is the Good News of God’s love for us. As such, there is the need for real and sincere conversion of heart.

St Mark introduces one of the main figures of Advent season: John the Baptist, the Precursor of Jesus the Messiah (Mark 1:1-8). John was sent by God as a messenger to prepare the people of Israel for the coming of their Saviour. He did so by proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. His coming was a fulfillment of God’s promise as announced by the prophet Isaiah, who was to bring the good news of liberation and consolation to the people in exil (Is. 40:1-5.9-11).

Indeed, the Lord Jesus did come in fulfillment of the prophecies of old. But such prophecies are still relevant to us, because we are still waiting for his second coming. St Peter tells us in the second reading, “What we are waiting for is what he promised: the new heaven and new earth” (2Pet. 1:8-14).

However, thousands of years have elapsed without such promise being fulfilled. Is God not delaying, or being slow in carrying out his promise? Or has He forgotten that He had promised us such wonderful things? St Peter answers us by saying that for God one day can mean thousands years, and a thousand years is like a day. Moreover, God is not delaying, but He is being patient with us so that everybody should change his evil ways of life.

Such conversion consists in making low the mountains of our hearts, that is setting aside our selfish attitudes, arrogance, pride, etc. We must fill our valleys, that is letting go our sluggishness, laziness, lack of motivation, and self-defeating thoughts. We must make straight our ways by being truthful, honest, sincere, etc. This way, the Lord will find a home in our hearts when he comes. May he bless and keep all of us.

Amen

34TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A

SOLEMNITY OF CHRIST, THE UNIVERSAL KING

Ezekiel 34:11-12.15-17; 

Psalm 23: 1-3, 5-6

1Corinthians 15:20-26.28; 

Matthew 25: 31-46

We celebrate today, the Kingship of Christ, Jesus. Through his death and Resurrection, he overcame sin and death, thus establishing his kingship over all. Everything is therefore subjected to him. He is the centre of our human history and is leading us into the kingdom of God the Father (1Cor. 15:20-26.28).

But what kind of king is Jesus Christ? According to the first and gospel readings, Jesus Christ is the Shepherd and the Judge. In the first reading, God proclaims that he is the True Shepherd of Israel. As a shepherd, he knows us; he feeds us, protects and cares for us. If such is our Lord and King, then there is nothing we shall want (Ps. 23).

As the Judge, Jesus Christ will sit on his throne of glory to judge the nations at the end of time.  He will separate the sheep from the goats, thus fulfilling the word of God as announced in the first reading. The “sheep”, in our parable today, represent the righteous, the blessed, those for whom the kingdom of heaven has been prepared. The “goats” represent the cursed, those for whom the eternal punishment is reserved.

At the judgment of the King, both the sheep and the goats were surprised. For the sheep, in being sensitive and coming to the aid of the needy and sufferers, they never knew they were welcoming and caring for Jesus himself. On the other hand, out of negligence, insensitivity and carelessness of the goats, they failed to serve Jesus in the least of men and women (Matt. 25:31-46).

This tells us how the King of the universe will judge us at the end our lives: how sensitive have you been to the miseries and needs of others, especially the needy, the marginalized and those suffering.

May the King of kings help us to recognize him in the least of our brothers and sisters so that we may share in his Kingdom.

Amen

33RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A

WORLD DAY OF THE POOR

Proverbs 31:10…31;
Psalm 128:1-2,3,4-5;
1Thessalonians 5:1-6;
Matthew. 25:14-30

As we are getting closer to the end of the liturgical year, the readings draw our attention to the Day of the Lord, a day of rendering account to him. The first reading tells us that the “perfect” and praiseworthy wife is hard to find. But when found, she is a treasure. She is the example of a humble and faithful servant who goes about her daily chores with love and dedication. She opens her doors for the poor and needy (Prov. 31:10…31).

For St Paul, the Lord will surely come; but when, how, and where, we do not know. What is important is to stay wide awake and sober because we are sons of the day (1Thes. 5:1-6).

What should we do to keep ourselves awake? The parable of the talents in the gospel reading tells us to be at work, using and making fruitful the talents we have received. The three servant received talents each according to his abilities.At the end, the first two were praised and called to share in their master’s joy because they used their talents and made profit. The third servant hid his talent out of fear of his master, whom he judges to be too demanding and usurper (Matt. 25:14-30).

Indeed, none of us is bereft of God's grace. God has endowed each of us with great potentials and talents that need to be explored, exploited and made fruitful. Thus, the talents we have are not to be put in the pocket. They are to be used for our own growth and the benefit of others, especially the poor and the needy.

Sometimes, out of fear, envy and resentment, we decide to do nothing, but complaining and accusing others. We must therefore remember, to work or not to work is our personal decision. In any case, we are responsible for our success or failure, for our gains or losses.

May the Lord help us to use the graces we have received and make ourselves ready for his coming.

Amen