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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2015 ALL SAINTS -(Lec. 667) SOLEMNITY1) Revelation 7:2-4, 9-142) 1 John 3:1-33) Matthew 5:1-12aGospel related: CCC 520, 544, 581, 1716, 1720, 2305, 2330, 2518, 2546; CSDC 492

FOCUS: All Saints Day isn’t just about the famous saints; God asks us to be holy, too.

The feast of All Saints raises before us not just the famous saints recognized in the

Church’s calendar, but all those holy ones whose lives were dedicated to God and

establishing his kingdom on earth. Who are among them? They are our parents, our

grandparents and members of our families who sacrificed their comfort and resources

so that we might have our Catholic faith. They are sisters and teachers who taught us

about Jesus Christ, the sacraments and the life of God we receive at Mass. They are

friends who supported us in our choices to do what is decent, good, pure and noble.

They are priests who inspired us. They are people who lived down the street and

dropped everything to come help us.

Many of us tend to think that only extraordinary people are holy. Perhaps that's a way of

defending against the idea that God asks us to be holy, too. If only a few extraordinary

people are saints, we may think we don’t have to make the effort, or we can put it off.

We tell ourselves that maybe someday we'll pray more, go to Mass more often and

clean up our act.

Or we think that holy people are in monasteries and convents, gliding silently around in

cloistered gardens while reading their prayer books. That, however, is not the way God

sees it. Notice that the first reading, from the Book of Revelation, tells of a huge throng,

so many they cannot be numbered, all clothed in the white robes of sanctity. The saints,

you see, are innumerable.

God's call for holiness is universal. Everyone is called to live in God’s love and to and

share his love with others by treating those we encounter with kindness, compassion

and respect. Holiness isn't something distant and far removed. Quite the contrary, it is

close at hand. However remarkable Mother Teresa of Calcutta's life was, it was lived in

the streets of the teeming city of Calcutta – not in an isolated monastery behind

protective walls.

Holiness means living lives of integrity and truth in which we are close to others and

close to God. It means forgiving others when they injure us. To live a life of holiness

means that one gives up clinging to one's prejudices, resentments and the desire to get

even.

A holy husband and a holy wife strive to share from the deepest core of their being the

truth of who they are. Holiness and complete love are two aspects of the same reality.

Holiness also means that we are open and exposed to God. We can listen to what God

wants to say to us. We give God time. We ask him for things that we need, and he can

ask what he wants of us.

God has fallen in love with you and me just where we are. All that remains is for us to

lead lives a little bit closer to each other and a little bit closer to him. When we do, we

grow in holiness. We become a little bit more like what God dreamed we could be when

he made us.

May the love of God fill us with a greater measure of his presence, his power and his Holy

Spirit on this All Saints’ Day.

* * * * *

Monday, November 2, 2015 THE COMMEMORATION(Lec. 668) OF ALL THE FAITHFUL1) Isaiah 25:6-9 DEPARTED2) Romans 8:31-35, 37-39 (ALL SOULS' DAY)3) John 11:17-27NOTE: Or any readings from Lec. 668 or from the Lectionary for Ritual Masses (vol. IV), the Masses for the Dead, Lec. 1011-1016.Gospel related: CCC 161, 606, 989, 994, 1001, 2824

FOCUS: Praying for the dead connects us with the Communion of Saints.

To ask “Where is purgatory?” presumes that it is a place one can find in space and time,

in the physical universe in which we live. Do we expect, then, to find purgatory in our

galaxy or in some other distant galaxy? Probably not. The Church, in the catechism,

does not speak of purgatory as a place.

Pope Saint John Paul II, on a number of occasions, spoke of purgatory as a state of

being, a condition in which we find ourselves. It has to do with the status of our

relationship with God, a concept quite different than thinking of purgatory as a place

somewhere out there in the cosmos. The better way to phrase the question is “What do

we mean by purgatory?”

When we stand back and look at the grand sweep presented to us in the Bible, we see

a theme that runs throughout the entire history of our salvation, namely the fact that

God is continually giving us another chance. God is continually starting over. The Book

of Genesis, for instance, has not one but three creation stories, the story of Noah and

his ark being the third and most dramatic.

God’s covenant, in which he pledges himself to be our God so we can be his people, is

renewed over and over again throughout the Bible.

Praying for the dead connects us with the Communion of Saints – the Church

triumphant (saints in heaven), the Church suffering (the souls in purgatory), and the

Church militant (all the faithful on earth). It’s a statement that we not only belong to each

other but that we can care for each other. It’s a statement that we all have aspects in

our hearts and souls that need to be purged so that we can be more transparent in

revealing the light of God that was created in us when we were brought into being. It is

also a statement that death cannot forever separate us from each other. Life is merely

changed, not ended.

It is God’s will that everyone be saved. In theology we call this “the universal salvific will

of God.” The Second Vatican Council tells us that after the fall of Adam and Eve, God

“ceaselessly kept the human race in his care, in order to give eternal life to those who

perseveringly do good in search of salvation.” (Dogmatic Constitution on Divine

Revelation, Chapter 1, paragraph 3)

* * * * *

Tuesday, November 3, 2015 TUESDAY OF(Lec. 486) 31ST WEEK1) Romans 12:5-16ab IN ORDINARY TIME2) Luke 14:15-24 (Opt. Mem. Saint Martin

de Porres, Religious)

FOCUS: Satan seeks to divide and conquer. Jesus unites us to God and one another,

helping us overcome sin and death.

“Divide and conquer” is an old Latin axiom used by the Roman emperors and military

generals. If skillfully employed, it assures victory and success in every endeavor. Our

ancient enemy, Satan, certainly uses it a lot.

It is no surprise that Jesus, knowing well the power of dividing and conquering, combats

it with his constant effort to unite us, to bind us not only to each other but to God our

Father. In union with God the Son, we are reunited with God our Father in heaven. It is

in our shared union that we are nourished and strengthened, and have the power to

overcome our ancient enemy, the one who would separate us from God. To accomplish

that goal, Satan begins by creating divisions among us using the weapons of pride,

arrogance, self-centeredness and the lust for power and control over others.

God has created us to fit together like parts of a body, to depend on each other the way

the major organs of our bodies exist in interdependence. Love seeks union, and love

brings union. Evil seeks the opposite. The word “diabolical” comes from a Greek word

that means “to tear apart,” the way a lion tears apart its prey and consumes it.

When we are united, we live in hope and joy. When we are united, we have confidence

and strength. When we are united, we can overcome trials, end oppression and find

peace. When we are united, we can overcome death; the boundaries of death will not

separate us.

As Christians, we are members of the same body of Christ, each contributing our gifts

and talents for the welfare of others. Solidarity with each other is our destiny in Christ. In

our common sharing, we can find the power to overcome evil in this world. The imagery

Jesus used was guests at the same table, sharing the bread of life, the gifts of life, with

each other.

The word religion comes from Latin. In Latin, religio means to connect and bond

together. It’s all about healing and making whole again that which has been dislocated,

fractured and torn apart. The meaning of “holy” is related to making whole again that

which was torn apart. The words whole, heal and holy are related. Each conveys an

aspect of the promise of Jesus – restoring us to union with God, a union that has been

ruptured by our sins.

* * * * *

Wednesday, November 4, 2015 WEDNESDAY OF(Lec. 487) 31ST WEEK1) Romans 13:8-10 IN ORDINARY TIME2) Luke 14:25-33 (OBL. MEM. Saint Charles

Borromeo, Bishop)Gospel related: CCC 1618, 2544

FOCUS: Being a disciple of Jesus requires a commitment to a life of loving others.

Jesus’ words in today’s Gospel are hard to hear and difficult to understand. Does Jesus

really want us to “hate” one’s father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters,

and even his own life in order to be his disciple? Does he require that those who would

be disciples “renounce” all their possessions? Clearly, such statements may leave us

wondering if anyone could do as Jesus says.

We are blessed in that today’s first reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans

offers some important insights to help us understand what Jesus is saying in the

Gospel. Saint Paul tells followers of Jesus in the Church in Rome to owe nothing to

anyone, except to love one another. While he gives examples of the commandments as

starting points for what it means to love, Saint Paul asks us to go beyond their dictates

by seeing that love never does evil, and hence, is the fulfillment of the law. To be Jesus’

disciples, we are to love God above all things.

Given these words of Saint Paul, we can understand what Jesus is expressing. We are

to love with our whole being. To do so, we have to live without attachment, striving to

place our lives into God’s hands. Certainly, we are not called to “hate” anyone; we are

to love all. Neither are we called to put aside the joy that modest possessions can bring.

For example, if you enjoy listening to music, you might appreciate your MP3 player, or

your stereo headphones. And you should, as the gift of music is one way that God

touches people’s lives and hearts.

Loving God with our whole heart is to be the number one priority in our lives. No

relationship, possession, goal or aspect of life should keep us from loving God. When

we become overly attached to a relationship, a possession, or again, any aspect of life,

we may diminish our ability to love. Thus, we may need to “renounce” our attachment so

we can continue to grow in our love for God. Such is the commitment required of

anyone aspiring to be a disciple of Jesus.

This is a rigorous task, and we need examples of how to live with such commitment to

loving. Perhaps that is why the Church today celebrates the holy life of Saint Charles

Borromeo. Saint Charles lived in the 16 th century during the turbulent years when the

Church was trying to confront its own turning away from the principles of love. He was a

guiding light for the reformation process at the Council of Trent. Moreover, during the

plague and famine of 1562, as archbishop of Milan, Saint Charles personally saw that

70,000 people a day were fed. His work was a tireless service of love that exhausted

him and led to his death at the age of forty-six.

May no attachment stand in the way of our loving God with our whole being and living

according to his law and way of love.

* * * * *

Thursday, November 5, 2015 THURSDAY OF(Lec. 488) 31ST WEEK1) Romans 14:7-12 IN ORDINARY TIME2) Luke 15:1-10Gospel related: CCC 545, 589, 1443, 1846

FOCUS: The presence of Jesus changes everything.

If asked what we seek in life, a typical answer is good health, peace and prosperity. All

of these are God’s gifts, but today’s readings focus on an even greater gift that may not

even come to mind. That gift is a life abandoned to God’s love, seeing and experiencing

the good things of the Lord in the land of the living: his kingdom on earth. The Lord

wants us to live this life truly aware of his presence, and able to surrender our fears,

hurt and doubts to trust in his goodness.

Whatever the state of our life – wonderful or miserable – we all want to live with hope.

The Lord is constant in “word and deed” so that we may trust that no one is beyond the

reach of his mercy. (CCC 545) Jesus bids us to draw near so that he may give us the

grace to live with hope in God’s goodness. Consider the tax collectors and sinners in

the Gospel. We do not know if they could see Jesus, or just hear him from afar. Yet, the

Lord’s presence draws them to do something that is completely out of character for

them – they were drawing near to listen to him.

For those who are open to it, the presence of Jesus changes everything. The smallest

act or word that lifts our mind to Jesus brings us into the Lord’s presence and we are

changed. Though we may distance ourselves from the Lord, he never stops loving us or

pursuing us. Perhaps our priorities in life leave little or no time for our faith life. Perhaps

we are beset with misery and believe God does not care about us. Perhaps we feel

guilty or cannot forgive ourselves for what we have done and believe the Lord does not

want to hear from us.

In our Gospel, Jesus speaks to us of the humanly unfathomable love and mercy of

God at work so that no one will lose out on his kingdom in heaven and on earth.

God’s loving mercy is as real for each of us today as when Jesus spoke.

If we are hesitant to approach Jesus, we can ponder the parables by which Jesus

demonstrates the immense love of God for everyone. We need only to look to the cross

to see the ultimate act of God’s love for us. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to guide us toward

a renewed life abandoned to God’s love.

* * * * *

Friday, November 6, 2015 FRIDAY OF(Lec. 489) 31ST WEEK1) Romans 15:14-21 IN ORDINARY TIME2) Luke 16:1-8Gospel related: CCC 952

FOCUS: We are to use our personal gifts and talents to help build up the kingdom of

God on earth.

Some people are dedicated to securing success in their worldly affairs. They may define

this success a number of ways: reaching a certain milestone of financial wealth, or a

defined level of authority over others, or public celebrity. The goal is focused on

personal criteria and fulfillment.

Such individuals may carefully explore career options and pursue the one that holds the

greatest promise of achieving the success they desire. They may study others whom

they deem successful and imitate their methods and approach, hoping to duplicate or

surpass their achievements. Such endeavors are looked upon by society as wise and

prudent. One might even praise such effort. This seems to be the mindset of the

steward we heard about in today’s Gospel.

We might ask: Is there a message in this parable for us as we diligently seek the

treasure of heaven? Jesus teaches that the one who can be trusted in small matters

can be trusted with greater ones. As followers of Jesus, we can make good use of the

things of the world as we work to live out the principles of the kingdom.

Worldly riches can be shared with those who are in need as opposed to the man who

simply built bigger barns to hold his harvest for himself. (Luke 12:16-21) Authority over

others can be used to achieve equality in the family, the workplace or the community.

Jesus made note of the faith he found among Samaritans and Gentiles, and even the

Roman centurion whose servant was healed. Public celebrity can be used for the good

of humankind. The Pharisees held much authority over the people and Jesus warned

them not to covet the first places in the synagogue or lay impossible burdens on the

people, but rather lighten their loads. (Luke11:43-46)

As we strive to emulate Jesus, let us look carefully at the lessons he teaches and make

them our model. We are called to take the gifts of this world and use them for the glory

of God and the building of the kingdom. Remember, to the one who has been given

much, whether treasure, authority or talent, much is expected in return.

* * * * *

Saturday, November 7, 2015 SATURDAY OF(Lec. 490) 31ST WEEK1) Romans 16:3-9, 16, 22-27 IN ORDINARY TIME2) Luke 16:9-15 (Saturday

in honor of BVM)Gospel related: CCC 2424; CSDC 181, 453

FOCUS: One cannot serve both God and mammon – no servant can serve two

masters.

Comfort, luxury, peace of mind – it’s easy to understand why so many people seek

wealth, property and possessions in this earthly life. While it’s not a sin to enjoy these

amenities, Jesus warns us in today’s Gospel about the consequence of developing an

attachment to them. This consequence is enslavement. Jesus teaches, No servant can

serve two masters… You cannot serve God and mammon.

Obviously, we know that material goods are useful and necessary. They fill our needs

as well as those of our families, and we have a duty to share our belongings with others.

But we need to be cautious. An attachment to earthly treasures can prevent us from

carrying out Jesus’ greatest commandments of loving God and our neighbor. Too strong

of an attachment can lead to envy, greed, theft or even cause us to value economic

profit at the expense of the basic rights of others – a grave violation of human dignity

according to the catechism. (CCC 2424) Our media are teeming with stories about

crime, sweat shops, human trafficking and other sinful practices, all in the pursuit of

wealth – the mammon that Jesus warns us about.

If accumulation of wealth and material goods leads to weakness and division, what will

unite us? In our reading from Romans, Paul offers introductions between some of the

earliest members of the Church. He points out the various ways he knows each person

as well as their unique contributions to the faith. Male and female as well as Jewish and

Gentile names are included. Previous barriers of gender, culture and nationality are

transcended as people come together to carry out Christ’s mission.

As his letter comes to a close, Paul transitions from language that establishes human

unity on earth to words that identify our connection with the divine in heaven. He

addresses God, saying, now to him who can strengthen you made known to all nations

to bring about the obedience of faith.

Today, centuries later, we continue to find truth in Paul’s words. Our obedience of faith

unites us. Our discipleship unites us. The body of Christ unites us. Rather than

spending our lives chasing wealth and luxury, we need to devote ourselves to pursuits

that will strengthen and bring us together – responding to God’s call in hopes that we

someday, too, may be welcomed into our true home in heaven.

* * * * *

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2015 THIRTY-SECOND(Lec. 155) SUNDAY1) 1 Kings 17:10-16 IN ORDINARY TIME2) Hebrews 9:24-283) Mark 12:38-44 or 12:41-44Gospel related: CCC 678, 2444

FOCUS: We are to trust that God is always with us and provides us with what we truly

need.

We all experience times when trusting in God just doesn’t seem to make sense. It may

be the sudden death of a spouse or a child, learning one has a terminal illness or being

laid off a job. When we experience events like these, we may find ourselves feeling

confused and angry with God. We may question how such an event could be part of

God’s plan.

Those feelings are neither good nor bad. It’s how we deal with them that matters most

in terms of our relationship with God. For example, if we bury our thoughts, emotions

and questions, bitterness and resentment can build up in our hearts and cause us to

turn away from God.

If, on the other hand, we acknowledge our feelings and doubts, the Lord has promised

he will give us the strength and grace to shoulder our burdens and persevere in faith.

How can we do this? When we turn to the Lord Jesus in prayer, we can say: “Lord this

doesn’t make any sense to me right now. Give me the strength I need to keep moving

forward,” or, “Lord, help me in the midst my trials and doubts.” We may not get instant

answers or relief. But when we trust God even when it doesn’t make sense, and when

we feel that we are just holding on to our faith by a thread, God will lead us to the light

of brighter day. Our faith will grow stronger, and so will our capacity to help others as

they go through times of struggle and doubt.

We are blessed that today’s readings offer several examples of the good that comes

from trusting in God, even when it does not seem to make sense. In the first reading,

the widow of Zarephath, who was on the edge of starvation, trusts in the promise of God

spoken to her through the words of the prophet Elijah: that if she prepared a meal for

the prophet, the Lord would surely provide enough food for her and her son to eat. As a

result of the widow’s hospitality and trust in the promise of God, from meager rations

God provided enough food for her, her son and Elijah for a whole year.

In the Gospel, a poor widow donates two small coins, which is all that she had to live

on, to the Temple treasury. Through this action, the widow surrenders her whole life into

God’s hands, trusting that he will provide her with what she most truly needs. Though

we don’t know the end of the story, it seems safe to conclude that God – as he always

does for his dearly beloved sons and daughters – provided for her needs.

So this day and every day, whether it seems to make sense or not, let us keep the faith.

Let us trust that God in his goodness and love will never leave or forsake us, and will

provide us with what we most truly need.

* * * * *

Monday, November 9, 2015 THE DEDICATION(Lec. 671) OF THE LATERAN1) Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12 BASILICA2) 1 Corinthians 3:9c-11, 16-17 - FEAST3) John 2:13-22Gospel related: CCC 575, 583, 584, 586, 994

FOCUS: We rejoice because God remains with his people.

Today’s readings recall the important place the Temple of Jerusalem had in the

religious life of the Jewish people. Ezekiel saw the Temple as the source of water that

flowed through the country, nourishing life along its banks. The Temple was the center

of religious practice and economic life for the Jews as well. Jesus called the Temple my

Father’s house, (Lk 2:49) and urged that proper respect be paid to it.

Today the Church celebrates the dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome. This is the

Cathedral of Pope Francis, the Bishop of Rome. It is the oldest center of worship for

Christians, dating from the 4th century. Throughout the centuries, it has been ransacked

by vandals, destroyed by earthquake, ravaged by fire, even abandoned for a time. Time

and again it has been restored, expanded and renovated as the Mother Church for

Catholics around the world.

As important as our diocesan cathedral or own church building may be to us and our

worshiping community, there is another center of worship that we must not neglect – our

own hearts. Scripture tells us that we are God’s building and Jesus Christ is our

foundation. If we use this firm foundation and employ the strength of the Holy Spirit, we

can build strong walls of virtue and good deeds against any force that would attempt to

disrupt or destroy our faith.

Prayer, the Scriptures, the sacraments, the companionship of faith-filled people – these

become the stones and mortar with which we can build a suitable temple for the Lord.

When we take care to honor the temple of God that is within us, our dealings in the

secular world reflect our spiritual values. Rejoice with all the Church in honoring the

Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, rejoice with your own community in honoring your

local place of worship, but rejoice, too, in the temple of the Lord that resides in your own

heart.

* * * * *

Tuesday, November 10, 2015 TUESDAY OF(Lec. 492) 32ND WEEK1) Wisdom 2:23C3:9 IN ORDINARY TIME2) Luke 17:7-10 (OBL. MEM. Saint Leo the Great,

Pope and Doctor of the Church)

FOCUS: Serving God and others without counting the cost leads to purity of heart and

perfect holiness.

People who mine for gold, diamonds and other precious metals invariably find many

pieces that can’t be used. They’re worthless, so they’re tossed aside. They keep only

the good pieces, those that can be turned into beautiful and valuable pieces of jewelry.

And how are they turned into beautiful jewels? By being put into a furnace. Being

purified by fire. It is through the heat and trial of fire that a precious metal is brought to

its full potential and transformed into something fascinating and beautiful.

Our modern society emphasizes the pursuit of comfort and praises the effort when the

results, whether it be success at work, weight loss or a clean house, are achieved with

the least amount of effort possible. It’s no wonder, then, that many of us may have a

hard time seeing trials and suffering as something good. But it’s not just a tired old

cliché to say that nothing comes easily in life. Speaking of clichés, we’ve all heard it said

that “what doesn’t kill me only makes me stronger.” That’s an old line, but it has a lot of

truth to it. Think about it: when we look back at past difficulties in life, we have a

different perspective on them now than when we were actually going through them. We

can honestly tell ourselves that we passed a test, so to speak.

Today’s first reading tells us that those who follow God will not be touched by torment.

That does not mean we won’t have difficulties in life – and all of us, however nice and

idyllic our lives might seem to people outside of our inner circles – have gone through

difficulties. For us, though, it doesn’t mean at all that God is punishing us. God never

promised us a life free of trial or difficulty – today’s first reading is proof of that – but he

does promise that he will be with us. If we keep our faith in God through the difficult

times of our lives, he will help us through it.

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus tells us that to truly be servants of the Lord, we must

set aside a “What’s in it for me?” kind of thinking – which is as prevalent as wanting to

achieve maximum results with minimal effort. Human nature being what it is, we tend to

want to be rewarded, to get a proverbial pat on the back, when we do a good job. That’s

natural and understandable, but when we serve God and others, we’re called to center

our thoughts and our spirits on God rather than on ourselves. It’s not that we won’t be

rewarded – Jesus tells us on several occasions in the Gospels that we definitely will be

– but focusing on our reward isn’t the ideal. Loving God and neighbor is.

So, in our relationships with God and with others, let us offer ourselves in service

without counting the cost, without expecting favors in return, without asking “What’s in it

for me?” In this way, we collaborate with God in his work to purify us through trial and

transform us into people whose lives give glory to him and help build up his kingdom on

earth.

* * * * *

Wednesday, November 11, 2015 WEDNESDAY OF(Lec. 493) 32ND WEEK1) Wisdom 6:1-11 IN ORDINARY TIME2) Luke 17:11-19 (OBL. MEM. Saint Martin

of Tours, Bishop)Gospel related: CCC 586, 2463

FOCUS: Loving one another expresses our love and gratitude for God’s gift of

salvation.

How rich is this passage from the Gospel of Luke! At first, it appears to simply be a

passage about gratitude. Ten lepers, standing at a distance from Jesus, pleaded with

him to have pity on them, and they were healed by the power of his words alone. This

reminds us that whenever we turn to Jesus, it is possible that through his word alone,

we may be healed. After the lepers are cleansed, however, only one returns to Jesus,

thanking and glorifying him.

It would be easy to assume that the lesson here is twofold: Jesus can heal through his

word, and that we should always be thankful. Naturally, none of us wants to be like

those nine lepers, who went on their merry way, healed but ungrateful. Admittedly, this

passage gives us pause as we ask if we are truly grateful for Jesus giving his life to

save us. Who can hear this without wondering if they are among the nine, or, hopefully,

the one who returned? Still, if we focus only on that, we miss an even greater point.

If we look closer, we notice something more important than physical healing. The

leper who returned to give thanks received an even greater blessing: spiritual healing.

We learn this by the words of Jesus: Stand up and go; your faith has saved you . The

leper had already been cleansed; this further saving action refers to eternal life. How

often do we, too, focus on our needs in this world and fail to give thanks for the gift of

new life and salvation we have received through faith in Jesus?

If the leper’s expression of faith is associated with Jesus’ saving act, then we cannot

deny the necessity of faith as that which leads us to salvation. While salvation in Jesus

is an unconditional, freely-given gift that we can neither earn nor repay, receiving it

should impel us to respond in gratitude. The question we are left with today, is: How will

I respond to God’s gift of salvation? The answer lies in the timeless call of God for us to

love one another, for in loving one another, we express our love of God, revealing our

tremendous gratitude for his gift of salvation.

* * * * *

Thursday, November 12, 2015 THURSDAY OF(Lec. 494) 32ND WEEK1) Wisdom 7:22bC8:1 IN ORDINARY TIME2) Luke 17:20-25 (OBL. MEM. Saint Josaphat,

Bishop and Martyr)Gospel related: CCC 2463

FOCUS: The kingdom of God is already here – if we are open to it.

When the Pharisees asked Jesus when the kingdom of God would come, he told them,

the coming of the kingdom of God cannot be observed … for behold, the kingdom of

God is among you. Jesus tells those who cling to the external observation of religion

that the living God is not “out there” somewhere. His kingdom is not something to

observe, but to experience. Jesus told them God’s kingdom is among you, now. God is

eternal, and through Jesus, his kingdom is already here if we are open to it.

The kingdom of God is among you. Jesus’ statement does not only apply to those who

lived when Jesus walked in his earthly life. Elsewhere he said, For where two or three

are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20)

And, as Saint Paul said, In him we live and move and have our being. (Acts 17:28) We

don’t observe God’s kingdom; we experience it.

How do we experience the kingdom of God? By participating in the life Jesus offers us.

We are called to live in community. Jesus told us the two great commandments of

God’s kingdom are to love God with all our being and to love our neighbors as

ourselves. Love can’t exist in isolation; it has to be shared. We come together to be

nourished by God’s love in the Eucharist and experience the support of other believers

on our spiritual journey – but it doesn’t end there. To participate fully in the kingdom of

God, we reach out: seeking, finding and sharing God’s presence, often in unlikely

places.

One unlikely place to find the kingdom of God is among the poor. Mother Teresa

challenged us to see God’s presence in “the distressing disguise of the poor.” Poverty

isn’t limited to those who are financially or materially poor. Jesus said the kingdom of

heaven belonged to the poor in spirit. We open ourselves to God’s kingdom of love

when we recognize how much we need it, and in humility become willing to accept it.

We participate in God’s kingdom when we seek or perhaps carry love to those we

encounter who might be spiritually bankrupt or emotionally depleted. It doesn’t take

much to share God’s love with others: a smile, a kind word, or even silence when it

would be easy to complain or criticize. The kingdom of God is among us. Let’s welcome

it and share what we receive with others.

* * * * *

Friday, November 13, 2015 FRIDAY OF(Lec. 495) 32ND WEEK1) Wisdom 13:1-9 IN ORDINARY TIME2) Luke 17:26-37 (OBL. MEM. Saint Frances

Xavier Cabrini, Virgin)Gospel related: CCC 1889, 2463; CSDC 34, 583

FOCUS: By loving others, we prepare our hearts to meet God and to be surrounded by

the fullness of life and love in heaven.

An old Chicago newsroom story tells of a young reporter eager to get past the police to

make contact with a patient in Mother Frances Cabrini's hospital. The reporter snuck in,

but was met by a cleaning woman who sent him away, despite his instance that Mother

Cabrini had invited him. He snuck in through the fire escape and was chased out by the

same cleaning lady, this time with a mop. He later discovered that it was Mother Cabrini

herself who had met him. They later became friends.

Mother Cabrini was prepared. By the time she died at age 67, she had opened no fewer

than 67 schools, hospitals and places of refuge for the poor. A gifted administrator,

Mother Cabrini also knew a few good uses for a mop.

The message of the Gospel today is one that Mother Cabrini would have understood: Be

prepared. The kingdom of God is at hand. Here, now, prepare to meet your Savior.

Remember the outcast. Remember those closest to the heart of God. Prepare.

When it comes to natural disasters, we prepare as a society by becoming familiar with

those that commonly occur in our geographic area. In the Gospel today, Jesus gives us

a list of disasters common to the human condition so that we also may prepare. Jesus

tells us that he is coming back and that one day we will meet God. He isn't trying to

scare us; he wants us to understand the signs and to be ready.

Our Gospel today reminds us, Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but

whoever loses it will save it. The Church believes that Mother Cabrini saved her life by

losing it. She was declared a saint fewer than 30 years after her death.

Life can be confusing. The world in which we live can be difficult to understand. As

human beings, we sometimes miss the forest of God's plans for us while looking at the

trees off to the side. Today's readings can be read as encouragement. We are not the

first or the last to come up short in our quest for God. It is to people as imperfect as we

are that Jesus offers a way to the Father.

Let us, like Mother Cabrini, hear the words of our Savior and lose ourselves in his love.

* * * * *

Saturday, November 14, 2015 SATURDAY OF(Lec. 496) 32ND WEEK1) Wisdom 18:14-16; 19:6-9 IN ORDINARY TIME2) Luke 18:1-8 (Saturday

in honor of BVM)Gospel related: CCC 675, 2098

FOCUS: When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?

We are approaching the end of our liturgical year. Today’s readings emphasize the

need to ready our hearts for the time when Jesus, king of kings and lord of all, will return

in glory to fully establish God’s kingdom.

Did the first reading from the Book of Wisdom remind you of another story? We are

taken back to the Exodus of the Jews, ending their captivity in Egypt. This Scripture

passage describes the Passover, when the firstborn children were saved by the blood of

the lambs. Those who had the blood on their doorposts were spared from the angel of

death. Those who did not sacrifice the lambs were not spared. This was the final plague

upon the Egyptians, who then released Israel. Remember that as Israel fled Egypt,

Pharaoh changed his mind and sent troops to pursue them. Israel was finally delivered

by the miracle of the Red Sea, after which the people danced and celebrated with great

joy. God was their deliverer.

Today’s Gospel from Luke focuses on Jesus’ parable of a persistent widow who kept

coming to an unjust judge. He would not render a decision about her difficulties. She

kept coming to him until she wore him down. Jesus uses this story to point out that if an

unjust judge would do this, how much more will God the Father do for his people?

What can we take away from these readings? We may often feel worn down and weary

from disturbing events in our personal lives or in the world. Reading the news itself can

be an emotional drain. We hear of bad things happening to good people – some we

know personally and some we read about. It is easy to ask, “Where is God in all this?”

We’ve all been in those valleys at one time or another. Maybe you are there now.

Jesus gives us hope for today and for the future, whatever it may bring. He is the King

of kings and the Lord of lords. When he returns, will he find us to be faithful? When the

Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth? Are you like the widow who does not give

up, but looks for answers? Jesus listens to us – in our good times and bad times. It is up

to us to continue to draw close to him, who is full of love and mercy. He is our deliverer.

* * * * *

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2015 THIRTY-THIRD(Lec. 158) SUNDAY IN1) Daniel 12:1-3 ORDINARY TIME2) Hebrews 10:11-14, 183) Mark 13:24-32Gospel related: CCC 474, 673

FOCUS: Followers of Christ live in the radical trust that tribulations give way to greater

glory.

This is it! The end is near! Next Sunday is the end of our liturgical year. We can look

back over the course of the year and discover that we have celebrated our entire story –

from creation to the end times. Most importantly, we participated in the cycle of the

Church year as it rotates around the center of our faith, Jesus Christ – from his first

coming as an infant, to his death and resurrection, and we look with hope to his coming

in glory.

So what about his story and ours is being revealed today?

In the readings, we hear of cosmic signs like the dead rising and stars falling from the

sky. That might sound like science fiction. But make no mistake; this is not fiction. Christ

reminds us that his words shall not pass away.

In the Gospel, Jesus describes these signs leading to his coming again – the sun being

darkened and the stars falling from the sky.

We can well imagine that upon hearing this, his disciples were struck with fear or

confusion. Jesus knows this and so – as in other parables – he speaks about something

they can understand: a fig tree. When [the fig] branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves,

you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see these things happening,

know that he is near.

Jesus uses this simple image of the fig tree, and the way it comes to life in the summer.

It is not an image of crisis or violence. It is a sign of new life after winter.

In our lives, we all experience difficult times. We even use the phrase “our whole world

is coming to an end” to describe our tribulations. Our crises feel like they take on cosmic

proportions. But Jesus assures us, When you see these things happening, know that I

am near.

Our times of personal trial teach us how to be faithful and faith-filled. We may not

always get it right, but these times prepare us for that time – the days that Jesus

describes.

We need not be afraid. The Letter to the Hebrews reminds us we have an eternal high

priest who, through his own sacrifice, gives us his body and blood. We are being

perfected through this body and blood for his coming again.

Our story does not have a scary ending. While this year is coming to an end, our story,

the story we hear and celebrate and live from one Church year to the next, is never

ending. We profess it: He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and

his kingdom will have no end.

So, as we prepare to receive his body and blood, let our prayer be the words of today’s

psalm: Lord, show us the path of life, the fullness of joy in your presence, the delight to

be at your right hand forever.

Monday, November 16, 2015 MONDAY OF(Lec. 497) 33RD WEEK1) 1 Maccabees 1:10-15, IN ORDINARY TIME

41-43, 54-57, 62-63 (Opt. Mem.2) Luke 18:35-43 Saint Margaret of Scotland;

Saint Gertrude, Virgin)

FOCUS: Remaining silent at the side of the road is not an option.

In today’s reading from Luke’s Gospel, we hear about the healing of a blind beggar.

Imagine the commotion outside the city of Jericho as the crowd following Jesus tries to

silence the man calling out to him as he passes by. The man is probably a mere

distraction to the crowd, but Jesus has him brought forward. It isn’t too hard to imagine

a collective silence coming over the crowd as they stand by, waiting to see what Jesus

is going to say or do next. Obviously, something is going to happen right here, right

now.

The man’s persistence cannot be missed. Neither can the profession of faith inherent in

his request – for we do not go to someone with a request if we do not think they have

the ability to fulfill it. From a position of vulnerability, the beggar pleads to regain his

physical sight. As the story unfolds, we come to realize that he could see already, with

the eyes of faith. After his physical healing, which followed his public acknowledgement

of faith, we hear that all the people spontaneously gave praise to God.

Did the crowd take to heart the words of Jesus, or did they simply focus on the

miraculous healing? It would seem that the highlight of this passage is physical healing,

but Jesus clearly is giving a powerful message about the saving grace associated with

faith. Faith is a gift that comes from God, and lived fully, it can be the route by which

others come to encounter the living Christ, visible in us. Just as the blind beggar was

the instrument through which others came to see God, we also are called to give faithful

witness to Christ in all areas of our life.

It would be false piety to deny the reality that God works in and through us to reach

others. The Holy Spirit spoke through the prophets and he speaks through us today

as well. While we may not be prophets like those we find in the Old Testament, we

certainly can help bring others to Christ by expressing our trust in God. One thing is

certain: If we stay seated in silence on the side of the road, not much is going to

happen.

* * * * *

Tuesday, November 17, 2015 TUESDAY OF(Lec. 498) 33RD WEEK1) 2 Maccabees 6:18-31 IN ORDINARY TIME2) Luke 19:1-10 (OBL. MEM. Saint Elizabeth

of Hungary, Religious)Gospel related: CCC 2712

FOCUS: The grace of God keeps alive the fire of faith in our hearts.

Much seeking goes on in today’s passage about Zacchaeus the tax collector. He seeks

to know who Jesus is, and Jesus seeks those who are lost. Jesus has the power to

bring salvation to sinners like Zacchaeus. From the beginning, today’s Gospel makes it

clear that Zacchaeus is a wealthy chief tax collector. Translated, that means he is a

dishonest man who makes his money by cheating people. He is the perfect

representative of those whom Jesus seeks.

Conversion stories, where a person’s life is changed by an encounter with Christ, are

always amazing. Many stories even today tell of people without faith who make a 180-

degree turn and become passionate ambassadors for Christ. Some say that converts

make the best Catholics. While that is not necessarily always true, it may be a greater

challenge for lifelong Catholics to continue rekindling the gift of faith throughout a

lifetime.

How do we do that? How do we keep the fire alive in our hearts so that each day our

greatest desire is to know and love God and to share that love with others? First, like

Zacchaeus, we must open our house and invite Christ in. We can do that through

prayer, primarily, but we can also do that by opening our church doors and welcoming

those who are downtrodden, outcast, lonely or lost.

Zacchaeus responded fervently to his encounter with Christ by repaying those he

cheated and giving half of his possessions to the poor. While his initial encounter with

Christ prompted him to act, he will be sustained in faith by this new life he has found in

Christ. And so we ask ourselves, how do I become open and welcoming? How do I

continue to nurture the gift of faith? How do I respond, like Zacchaeus?

The answer is simple: Ask God and he will show us the way, for Jesus has come to

seek and to save, and in him we will not be lost.

* * * * *

Wednesday, November 18, 2015 WEDNESDAY OF(Lec. 499) 33RD WEEK1) 2 Maccabees 7:1, 20-31 IN ORDINARY TIME2) Luke 19:11-28 (Opt. Mem. The Dedication

of the Basilicas of Saints Peter and Paul,Apostles;

Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne, Virgin)NOTE: Or, for the memorial of the Dedication, Acts 28:11-16, 30-31*; Matthew 14:22-33*(Lec. 679).Gospel related: CCC 1880, 1936; CSDC 326

FOCUS: The Creator of the universe forms and shapes each of us in our mother’s

womb.

God’s chosen people suffered throughout their history at the hands of various ancient

world powers. They were slaves in Egypt and were terrorized by local tribes as they

came into the land of Canaan. After a period of freedom under various judges and King

David and his descendants, they were conquered and led into exile by the Babylonian

Empire. Though the Persian Empire allowed them to return to their lands in the fifth and

sixth centuries, their freedom was lost a few generations later when Alexander the

Great conquered much of the Near East. Soon after the period of suffering described in

today’s reading, the Romans came to control Israel, and would completely destroy the

Jewish Temple in the first century after the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Our reading from the second book of Maccabees is one of the most stirring in the

history of the Jewish persecution by the Greek governor Antiochus. A mother, forced to

watch her seven sons executed for their fidelity to Jewish law, exhorts her youngest to

have faith in God and not fear death. Her words are beautiful:

I do not know how you came into existence in my womb; it was not I who gave you the

breath of life, nor was it I who set in order the elements of which each of you is

composed. Therefore, since it is the Creator of the universe who shapes each man’s

beginning, he, in his mercy, will give back both breath and life, because you now

disregard yourselves for the sake of his law.

The parable in today’s Gospel refers to a master endowing his servants with small loans

and trusting them to make good use of what they are given. Many see this as an

allegory about not squandering or ignoring the gifts that God gave us. In the parable,

one servant fears his master’s demanding nature and returns the gift unused.

The mother’s words from the first reading comfort us in this regard. God, who shaped

each person’s being and gave them their gifts, will show mercy if those gifts or we

ourselves are destroyed by an enemy. It is inaction, indifference and disuse that are

condemned by God. Hard work and sacrifice are always rewarded.

* * * * *

Thursday, November 19, 2015 THURSDAY OF(Lec. 500) 33RD WEEK1) 1 Maccabees 2:15-29 IN ORDINARY TIME2) Luke 19:41-44Gospel related: CCC 558

FOCUS: Are we seeing and doing the same things without really knowing what the

Lord is calling us to do?

A woman visiting the Tennoji temple in Hikone, Japan, had read in a tour book that

visitors to the temple had encountered people they knew as they looked at the 500

carved statues inside. Each statue has a unique characteristic – a personality. Taking

this information literally, the woman thought she would run into one of the many

Japanese people she had met. Upon entering the temple, a bus filled with Japanese

tourists arrived. The woman thought for sure that someone on the bus would look

familiar. No one did. As the woman walked around the temple looking at the features

and faces of the statues, she realized that one reminded her of her deceased father,

another of a friend who had recently died, and still others of significant persons in her

life. This took her by surprise, because the carvings depicted people with Asian

features, and the people she thought of were not Asian. Her experience challenged her

to accept the unexpected, rather than being tied to her original perceptions.

What does this have to do with today’s readings? God has given us our senses and our

ability to reason. He has placed us in a magnificent world filled with his Spirit. We see

how we can go astray when we read about the unnamed Israelite in the first reading. He

blindly went along with the order to worship the false gods of the Seleucid king to save

his own skin – so he thought. He did not look to his faith or search his heart for other

possibilities. He was not open to other action, as Mattathias was. He wanted the easy

way. Though Mattathias and his followers were small in number, they resolved to follow

God and trusted that God would help them. They saw beyond the present situation.

In the Gospel, Jesus mourns the destruction of Jerusalem, prophesying that the people

would not respond as Mattathias had. Jesus could see that the failure of most of his

own people to accept him and his teachings would play a major role in Jerusalem being

destroyed by the Romans. Most faithful Jews of Jesus’ time clung to their expectation

that the Messiah would be a military messiah who would overthrow Roman rule and

fully restore the nation of Israel.

What about us? Do we cling to our perceptions or are we open to an unexpected

message from God? Do we truly listen and discern how the Lord is speaking to us

through his word and through others? Do we work to make the world a more just

place? How do we live our lives in the light of God’s message of love? These are all

good questions to consider as we approach the end of our liturgical year.

* * * * *

Friday, November 20, 2015 FRIDAY OF(Lec. 501) 33RD WEEK1) 1 Maccabees 4:36-37, 52-59 IN ORDINARY TIME2) Luke 19:45-48

FOCUS: My house shall be a house of prayer.

Have you ever been away from a place for a while and returned to see it? Was it the

same? Was it better? Or worse? Had weeds grown up where once there were well-

manicured lawns? Were the buildings in disrepair?

Imagine what it must have been like for the Maccabees. The Temple was "the place" for

the Jew. It was there that the Lord God lived. It was there that the high priest would,

once a year, pronounce the holy name of God, and assure the people of God's

presence. It was there that sacrifices were offered to the Lord, following the teaching of

Moses.

Yet, once they had vanquished their enemies and Jerusalem was theirs once again, the

victorious Maccabees found the Temple in ruins and they set about to repair it. The

reading tells of all the things that they did to “make it right” so that proper worship and

sacrifice could be held.

About a century later, Jesus was in the same Temple, teaching every day. Yet,

something was wrong. As today’s reading from the Gospel of Luke puts it, Jesus

entered the Temple area and proceeded to drive out those who were selling things,

saying to them, “It is written. My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it

a den of thieves.” He was angry. And he should have been angry. His Father's house

had become a place of business instead of a place for worship. Jesus worked to

overturn the corrupt religious practices so the Temple could once again be a place

where God was worshipped in sincerity and truth.

Applying this to ourselves, at times the temples of our hearts need to be cleansed and

purified, so that we lead lives that glorify and magnify God. For this to happen, we

simply have to turn to Jesus and ask him to cleanse and purify us of the things that hold

us back from living more fully and freely for him. So this day and every day, let us never

hesitate to turn to Jesus to cleanse us and set us free.

* * * * *

Saturday, November 21, 2015 SATURDAY OF(Lec. 502) 33RD WEEK1) 1 Maccabees 6:1-13 IN ORDINARY TIME2) Luke 20:27-40 (OBL. MEM. The Presentation

of the Blessed Virgin Mary)Gospel related: CCC 330, 575

FOCUS: God is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.

In the Gospel, Jesus is confronted by the Sadducees, who were keepers of Jewish law.

They did not believe in the resurrection. They tried to catch Jesus with trick questions,

such as the one we heard today. In Jewish law, if a man died without children, his

widow was to marry his brother. The Sadducees posed a question about an imagined

situation where the widow then married a brother who also died. She then married

another surviving brother, eventually having wed seven brothers. Their trick question

was: Since she had married seven brothers, whose wife would she be in the

resurrection?

The Sadducees attempted to entrap Jesus because they did not believe in the

resurrection. He responded with words of hope. This occurred during the last days of

Christ’s walk on earth. With his crucifixion approaching, we hear his words again – God

is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to him, all are alive. There is no marriage in

heaven. Jesus proclaimed the fact that we have hope in his death and resurrection with

life forever with him. Death is not just the end; it is the beginning of eternal life. Let us

move forward knowing that we have been given hope of eternal life with our loving God.

* * * * *

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2015 OUR LORD(Lec. 161) JESUS CHRIST1) Daniel 7:13-14 KING OF THE UNIVERSE2) Revelation 1:5-8 - SOLEMNITY3) John 18:33b-37Gospel related: CCC 217, 549, 559, 600, 2471

FOCUS: We are faithful citizens of God’s kingdom.

Imagine that you are in a political science class discussing kings and kingdoms. Quickly

questions of belonging and commitments would be considered. Who belongs to the

monarch? What are the king’s and his people’s obligations? Who is in the kingdom and

who is not?

The questions are not arcane, but are quite relevant to us. We are in a national debate

concerning commitments and belonging. Take, for instance, the concept of family. Who

belongs and who does not? What do we mean by the word “family”? Then there’s the

great debate over national borders and immigrants.

In 1925, Pope Pius XI instituted this liturgical feast day in the Church’s calendar

because he saw the oppressive conditions imposed on people by totalitarian regimes.

Kings and monarchs had for centuries entered into wars which, in many instances, were

the result of their lust for greater power over their subjects. Fascism and communism

were on the rise. Various other “isms” were claiming ownership and control over people,

efforts we still see in the world today.

Pope Pius XI saw that God was being pushed out of the minds and hearts of people by

oppressive political systems claiming that individual humans were the property of the

state. Even today, human life is often seen as belonging under the power of humanity,

not under the reign of God. To whom, then, do we belong? Who can claim our

allegiance? Who is worthy of our commitments?

As Christians, every time we pray the Lord’s Prayer we petition God: “Thy kingdom

come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” We ought to pause and reflect on

what those prayerful words really mean. They raise questions as to whom we belong

and to whom we give our ultimate allegiance.

The independence of the United States was declared by affirming: We hold these truths

to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their

Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit

of happiness.

The nation’s founders recognized that no king, ruler or president confers human rights;

these are given to us by God. Perhaps that concept does not seem to be very bold to us

today, but it was groundbreaking at the time, and was the foundation of the Declaration

of Independence.

Regardless of which country we live in, we are always citizens in God’s kingdom. We

should, then, pray that we always speak the truth and favor life, strive for holiness and

seek God’s grace, while at all times seeking justice, sharing love and striving for peace.

Jesus Christ has established God’s kingdom here on earth. With Christ as the king and

ruler of our lives and hearts, we are charged with continuing to build up God’s kingdom

on earth by working for justice and peace, being good stewards of God’s creation, and

treating all those we encounter with kindness, love and compassion.

Monday, November 23, 2015 MONDAY OF(Lec. 503) 34TH WEEK1) Daniel 1:1-6, 8-20 IN ORDINARY TIME2) Luke 21:1-4 (Opt. Mem. Saint Clement I,

Pope and Martyr; Saint Columban,Abbot; Blessed Miguel Augustin Pro,

Priest and Martyr)Gospel related: CCC 2544

FOCUS: We are called to give all that we have and all that we are in love and service

to God.

Christmas was over and it was time to put the decorations away. The couple worked

together to pack, organize and haul the many boxes of decorations that they had

collected over the years up the attic steps. Once they took a look inside, all they could

see was a disorganized mess.

They quickly realized they had been holding on to many things they no longer needed.

So they started pulling things out of the attic to donate to charity. It didn’t take them long

to fill the garage. Unfortunately, years in their attic during hot Texas summers had

damaged many of their items. What the heat hadn’t ruined, squirrels and mice had.

So, instead of giving their well-loved possessions to another family that needed them,

almost all of them went into the trash.

Years of holding on to things that they “might use someday” hadn’t benefitted them or

anyone else. The sad thing was, even after getting rid of all that stuff, it still didn’t feel

like a sacrifice. They could have gotten rid of another garage full of things before it

started to hurt.

Like the wealthy people in today’s Gospel, the couple gave out of their excess,

sacrificing very little. They thought they were doing the right thing. But, the reality was,

they were holding on to their excess.

This is in stark contrast to the poor widow. Her giving all that she had to live on indicates

that she understood that God loved her very much, that God would provide for her

needs, and that ultimately everything she had, including the gift of her life, was a gift

from God. As such, when she donated those two coins – her whole livelihood – to the

Temple treasury, she was offering all that she had. She trusted that God would lovingly

provide for her needs.

* * * * *

Tuesday, November 24, 2015 TUESDAY OF(Lec. 504) 34TH WEEK1) Daniel 2:31-45 IN ORDINARY TIME2) Luke 21:5-11 (OBL. MEM. Saint Andrew

Dung-Lac, Priest, and Companions, Martyrs)

FOCUS: Every week we proclaim, Christ will come again in the Creed. Hold on to that

promise at all times.

On Sunday, we celebrated the feast of Christ the King, bringing us to the end of the

liturgical year. We started the liturgical year during Advent, which led us to the

celebration of Christ’s birth. As the year progressed, we observed his early ministry,

crucifixion, resurrection and ascension into heaven. The Church’s liturgical calendar

helps us to follow Jesus’ journey from his conception until his coronation as Christ the

King.

This weekend marks the beginning of Advent. As we embark on the new liturgical year,

in today’s readings the Church gives us a glimpse of the end of time. For centuries,

people have looked at worldwide events and predicted the end of the world. Some have

gone so far as to sit out on mountaintops to await the coming of the Lord. We are not

going to do that, of course, but it is good to have a sense of readiness at all times,

always looking for Christ’s return.

In the first reading, we hear a prophecy from the book of Daniel in the Old Testament.

He interpreted King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream about the fall of the powerful kingdom of

Babylon. Daniel’s key point is that the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall

never be destroyed… and shall stand forever. This is the kingdom of God.

In the Gospel, Jesus teaches that a day will come when God’s kingdom will be fully

established over all the earth. We heard a frightening scenario of tumultuous times. We

do not know when or how this will occur, but we do know this, that Christ will come

again in glory. We say it every week when we recite the Creed. “He will come again in

glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.”

We know that we are in the hands of God. He will deliver us and bring us to him if we

stay united with him through Jesus Christ.

* * * * *

Wednesday, November 25, 2015 WEDNESDAY OF(Lec. 505) 34TH WEEK1) Daniel 5:1-6, 13-14, IN ORDINARY TIME

16-17, 23-28 (Opt. Mem. Saint Catherine2) Luke 21:12-19 of Alexandria, Virgin and Martyr)Gospel related: CCC 675

FOCUS: God gives us the grace and strength to persevere in faith amidst the

challenges of today’s world.

We might think that “persecution of Christians” is the main theme of today’s Gospel

reading, but that’s not quite right. Jesus tells us what sort of treatment those who

believe in him can expect from the world, and he doesn’t mince words. If you believe in

me, he says, some people won’t like it very much – they won’t like you very much. But

Jesus doesn’t leave it at that; he also offers words of reassurance and encouragement.

Today’s Gospel speaks of the spiritual opportunities presented to us when our faith in

God is met with rejection and disdain by others.

Throughout history, believing in Christ has been illegal and even life-threatening in

many places. And even in our own country, there are challenges. Jesus tells us point-

blank that this is how it will be – the words if, may and might do not appear in today’s

Gospel. Catching flak for being a Christian isn’t just a possibility – it’s a certainty.

The last thing we should do as Christians, however, is give up. In chapter five of

Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus says it’s a blessing – yes, a blessing! – to be ridiculed and

mistreated on his account. Why a blessing? Our reward in heaven will be great, and

history shows that attacks on our faith actually make it stronger. After two thousand

years, the Catholic Church is still here and still going strong. That’s no surprise, since

Christ said that nothing, not even the powers of hell, would destroy his Church.

For our part, do we prefer the love of Christ to all else? Do we love him so much that we

are willing to be mocked for him, to lose esteem in the eyes of the world, and even – if

the unlikely but possible need arises – to die for him? Do we see others’ mistreatment

and rejection of our faith as a blessing, as an opportunity to bring him to others, and as

a challenge to deepen our own faith and holiness? No matter the difficulty, if we

persevere in our love for God, we will secure our lives – if not in this life, certainly in the

next.

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Thursday, November 26, 2015 THURSDAY OF(Lec. 506) 34TH WEEK1) Daniel 6:12-28 IN ORDINARY TIME2) Luke 21:20-28NOTE: Or for Thanksgiving Day in the United States of America, any readings from the Lectionary for Ritual Masses (vol. IV), the Mass: "In Thanksgiving to God," nos. 943-947). See especially Sirach 50:22-24 (943.2), 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 (944.1), Luke 17:11-19(947.6).Gospel related: CCC 58, 671, 674, 697

FOCUS: True believers have reason to give thanks to God, even in difficult

circumstances.

Both of today’s Scripture readings portray difficult situations for believers. In the first

reading, the prophet Daniel is arrested and put in a lions’ den for refusing to pray to a

pagan king as if he were divine.

In today’s Gospel from Saint Luke, Jesus tells of the impending destruction of

Jerusalem by the Gentiles.

Considering the violence inflicted against Christians all around the world today,

especially in the Middle East, we can identify with these stories of suffering. And

although believers are not subject to such violent persecution in Western countries, they

can still face pressure to keep their beliefs private in the face of rising secularism.

Three years ago, the late Chicago Cardinal Francis George speculated about what the

Church might face in the years to come if this trend continued: “I expect to die in bed,

my successor will die in prison and his successor will die a martyr in the public square.”

But before giving up in despair about the future, consider what Cardinal George said

next: “His successor will pick up the shards of a ruined society and slowly help rebuild

civilization, as the Church has done so often in human history.”

On this Thanksgiving Day, it might seem hard to give thanks to God. Christians suffer

and even die for their faith on an almost daily basis in countries like Nigeria, Egypt,

Syria, Iraq, India, Myanmar, Vietnam, China and North Korea And in Western countries,

religious liberty is often not something we can take for granted.

Jesus’ words at the end of today’s Gospel, however, should fill us with gratitude and

hope: When these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because

your redemption is at hand.

* * * * *

Friday, November 27, 2015 FRIDAY OF(Lec. 507) 34TH WEEK1) Daniel 7:2-14 IN ORDINARY TIME2) Luke 21:29-33

FOCUS: The earth and our lives in it will end, but Christ calls us to be with him forever.

Although Christianity contains great spiritual and theological depth, its key message is

universal and easy to grasp. God created the universe and everything in it, including

humanity. He sent his Son, who himself was God, to redeem a fallen humanity. In the

end, evil is defeated; the goodness of God is victorious and his kingdom is forever.

We see these “basics” in today’s readings. Daniel’s vision contains a wealth of

symbolism that theologians and biblical scholars have pored over through the centuries,

but the “basics” come down to this: good versus evil. God, the source of all good, will

defeat evil.

In light of this knowledge, let’s look at the increasingly popular morally relativist view of

life – a view that sees little distinction between good and evil or right and wrong. It does

not allow for objective absolute morality. To each his own, many people say these days.

This sort of thinking is fine when it comes to deciding what clothes to wear or how to

decorate a living room. When it becomes a moral compass, however, such relativist

thinking all too often causes us to drift far off course. Certain moral absolutes do exist.

Good and evil exist; and it’s up to us which one we will choose.

We have ample time and opportunity to make this choice, but as today’s Gospel

reminds us, we must choose before our time on this earth runs out. Jesus reminds us

that we won’t be on this earth forever. But we need not fear. Jesus’ words will not pass

away, and neither will he. His spiritual kingdom is eternal, and we’re all invited to be a

part of it – by aligning our lives to Jesus’ will, receiving his body and blood in true faith,

and embracing his teachings.

* * * * *

Saturday, November 28, 2015 SATURDAY OF(Lec. 508) 34TH WEEK1) Daniel 7:15-27 IN ORDINARY TIME2) Luke 21:34-36 (Saturday in honor of BVM)Gospel related: CCC 2612

FOCUS: God rewards faithfulness.

For many of us, uncertainty about the future is cause for anxiety. Why is this? One

reason is that we fear the future will be bad, and that we will not be prepared to deal

with it.

Today’s readings offer a glimpse of the future. While the imagery is terrifying, it gives us

hope. The prophet Daniel uses a style of writing called apocalyptic literature to describe

the past, present and future of four kingdoms on earth through a symbolic vision. The

first three beasts represent the Babylonian, Median and Persian empires. The fourth is

the Greek Empire, characterized by many horns to represent divisions, and an arrogant

horn representing Greek king Antiochus IV, who oppressed the Jewish people. John

uses similar imagery later in Revelation to symbolize persecution of the new Church by

the Roman Empire.

The interpreter of Daniel’s vision, most likely an angel, shares with him what happens

next. Although the fourth beast reigned victoriously for a period of time on earth, the

holy ones receive eternal kingship when the Ancient One arrives. This prophecy

foretells God’s presence on earth as man – Jesus – as well as our inheritance to the

heavenly kingdom through his death and resurrection. In the end, good prevails over

evil. God judges in favor of those who remain holy and faithful to his word.

In our Gospel, Jesus does not use symbolic language. He is certain of the future and

gives us clear instructions on how to prepare for it. He doesn’t want us to be distracted

by temptations, fears or daily routines, but to be vigilant. In prayer we are to be attentive

to his presence, both in memory of his presence here on earth and in hope of his

second coming in glory.

Through her example, the Blessed Virgin Mary demonstrates faithful living and vigilance

to Christ’s presence. Although she didn’t know what the future held for her, she said

“yes” to God. She trusted his plan. Her faith never wavered, even during the

excruciating anguish she must have felt watching her son suffer and die. She is the

ultimate model for our Church to imitate.

Jesus knows our hearts. He wants to alleviate any anxiety we may feel by giving us

hope that good will triumph in the end, and by giving us confidence to stand before him.

Jesus loves us. He died for our sins so that one day we may inherit his eternal kingdom.

We honor his sacrifice by remaining faithful. Always be vigilant and pray.

* * * * *

Cycle CYear II

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2015 FIRST SUNDAY(Lec. 3) OF ADVENT1) Jeremiah 33:14-162) 1 Thessalonians 3:124:23) Luke 21:25-28, 34-36Gospel related: CCC 58, 671, 674, 697, 2612

FOCUS: Let us stand secure before the Son of Man at the end of our life.

We spend enormous amounts of resources, time and energy on things that give us a

sense of security. We buy expensive insurance policies and have high-tech alarm

systems in our businesses, homes and automobiles.

And still we are not secure. But no amount of money or high-tech protection system can

keep us from the ultimate confrontation we each will face. One day, you and I will stand

face to face before Christ at the end of our earthly existence. And yet we live our lives

awash in distractions. Our eyes are torn away from what lies ahead at the end of our

time here on earth.

Thus, Jesus gives us fair warning at the end of today's Gospel account. Allow me to

repeat the last part:

Be on guard lest your spirits become bloated with indulgence and drunkenness and

worldly care. The great day will suddenly close in on you like a trap. The day I speak of

will come upon all who dwell on the face of the earth, so be on the watch. Pray con -

stantly for the strength to escape whatever is in prospect, and to stand secure before

the Son of Man.

Stand secure before the Son of Man? How can we stand secure? We will be standing

there before him without our bank accounts and security fences. All you and I will have

at that moment, when we face the Son of God, will be our memories. It is from them that

we will draw up our accounts, that we will find the records of our lives.

I want to share what I'd like to have in my own account when I die:

First, I would like to have love for people, particularly the hurting, the rejected – those

without privilege and those who have experienced pain and loss. I’d like the record to

show that I wasn’t angry or haughty toward others.

Second, I'd like the record of my life to show sensitivity, respect, tender loving care and

humility in my relationships.

Third, reliance on the power of God would be an important part of my portfolio as I face

Christ. I hope there will be many entries revealing times when I let God be God, when I

relinquished my desire to control outcomes, to control other people’s decisions, to

control the events of my life.

Finally, I would stand a whole lot more secure before the Son of Man if I could simply

continue the conversation we had already been having for a good portion of my life on

earth. Wouldn't it be lovely to meet Christ face to face and discover that he was always

near to me, and was my dear friend all along throughout my life here on earth?

Thanksgiving and Christmas are seasons of reflection, when we look ahead with hope

for the Son of God coming to us. When we meet him at the end of our lives, we will be

filled with awe, that's for sure.

But will we be filled with terror? Or will we be filled with love and the sense of security

that undergirds love? The answer, of course, depends upon the fabric of our lives. If we

are to be judged worthy, it means we have cooperated with God’s grace in our time on

earth, and have humbly offered the gift of our life back to God.

Monday, November 30, 2015 SAINT ANDREW,(Lec. 684) APOSTLE1) Romans 10:9-18 - FEAST2) Matthew 4:18-22Gospel related: CCC 878

FOCUS: We are all called by Christ to the work of evangelization.

Today we celebrate the Feast of Saint Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother and fellow

apostle. In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus is walking along the Sea of Galilee, when he

encounters Andrew and Simon Peter fishing. He tells them, Come after me, and I will

make you fishers of men. Luke, in his version, leaves Andrew out entirely. But John’s

Gospel tells us that Andrew was a follower of John the Baptist, and already recognized

Jesus as the Messiah.

We know little more about Andrew from Scripture. John’s Gospel places him at various

important events – where you’d expect the Twelve to be. Accounts after the resurrection

focus on Peter – rightly so, given that he was the rock upon which Christ would build his

Church.

But what happened to Andrew? Legend has it that Andrew preached the Good News in

what is now modern Greece and Turkey, and was crucified at Patras.

Despite not being mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles or any of the other epistles in the

New Testament, Andrew’s name and activities are part of Church history and tradition.

Today he is the patron of fishermen, and the countries of Greece, Russia and Scotland.

We have no written record, but Andrew’s ministry certainly spread wide to leave so many

stories behind. Like Andrew, we will leave behind stories in the hearts of those who knew

and loved us. We pray that our own evangelism will touch at least one life and turn one

person toward Christ. If so, then we, together with Andrew and all the saints, will one day

hear God say the words we long to hear. “Well done, faithful servant.”

* * * * *