Thirty Fourth Sunday :B: Feast of Christ the King: November 25, 2018

"CHRIST, THE KING OF THE UNIVERSE"

First Reading: Daniel 7: 13-14
Second Reading: Apocalypse 1: 5-8
Gospel Reading: John 18: 33-37

   * First reading is from the book of Prophet Daniel. This passage gives a description of the vision of Daniel. In his vision Daniel saw 'son of man' (Christ) being presented to the heavenly Father and He was given dominion and glory and Kingship. All people and nations were under His everlasting power.

   * Second reading is from the book of Apocalypse. This passage speaks of the faithfulness of Christ who is the ruler of whole world and all kingdoms. By His shedding of blood, Christ has freed us from sin and made us part of His Kingdom. Christ is the Alpha and Omega - the beginning and the end of everything.

"Citizens of eternal Kingdom"
Today's Gospel reading is from St. John. This passage gives an account of Jesus being asked by Pilate about His kingdom. Jesus' answer was that His kingdom is not of this world. But He said,"I came into the world to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice". Hence the hall mark of Jesus' kingship is testifying to the truth. Pope Benedict XVI says,"Jesus' whole existence reveals that God is love. This is therefore the truth of which he gave full testimony with the sacrifice of his own life on Calvary. The Cross is the 'throne' from which he manifested the sublime royalty of God - Love."
Jesus' kingship did not end with His death on the cross, on the contrary, His kingdom continues for ever in eternal glory and splendor as He testified that His kingdom did not belong to this world. May we have the courage and the perseverance to remain true to our King and Lord. We need to give witness to His rule by belonging to the side of truth and continue to listen to the voice of Christ the universal King.
Beneath the picture of Christ runs the following message: "Jesus also known as Christ wanted on charges of sedition, criminal anarchy, vagrancy, and conspiring to overthrow the established government. Dresses poorly, uses carpentry as a cover, has visionary ideas. Associates with common working people, unemployed and winos. Has variety of aliases: Prince of peace, Son of Man, Light of the World, etc. Full beard and scars on hands  and feet the result of injuries inflicted by angry mob led by respectable citizens and local authorities." - James Gilhooley.
Church's liturgical year concludes with the celebration of Feast of Christ the King.

Thirty Third Sunday of the Year: B: November 18, 2018

"END TIMES: BEGINNING OF A NEW WORLD ORDER"

First Reading: Daniel 22: 1-3
Second Reading: Hebrews 10: 11-14
Gospel Reading: Mark 13: 24-32

   * First reading is from the book of Prophet Daniel. This passage describes in detail the revelations of Daniel regarding the end of time. It foretells great upheavals and disasters which will happen in the world. But these signs will be followed by a new and everlasting existence. Hence the passage points to a belief in the resurrection of the dead.

   * Second reading is from the letter to the Hebrews. This passage explains to us that priests of the Old Testament offered sacrifices which could not take away sins. On the other hand the supreme sacrifice offered by Christ is superior to all the other sacrifices performed in the Old Testament. Because Christ through a single sacrifice has taken away all our sins.

"Final days to come"
Today's Gospel reading is from St. Mark. This passage too gives us some indications of the end of the present world. Jesus speaks of a time of destruction, terror, troubles and persecutions. People will be betrayed and handed over to the authorities. There will be wars and earthquakes and famines. Then there will be cosmic upheavals. The Sun, the Moon and the stars will lose their normal courses and appearances. After these series of disasters finally there will be good news. Jesus looks beyond the time of distresses to a final time when the Son of man will gather the elect. He sees beyond the sufferings and persecutions to a future of peace with God. 
To explain His future vision, Jesus uses the imagery of the fig tree which sheds its leaves annually. At that time its stark spiky twigs make it look quite dead until new life comes in autumn. Jesus used this imagery to explain the new life that will be manifested when He comes in glory.
We need to have deep faith and courage to face times of distress, sufferings and pain and to look forward to a new life in the Lord.
Six signs are given by Jesus to indicate the end of the age as in Matthew's Gospel.
1. False prophets, Mt. 24:5 2. Wars, Mt. 24:6-7 3. Famines , Mt. 24:7 4. Earthquakes , Mt.24: 7 5. Tribulations, Mt. 24:8-9
  6. Gospel being preached throughout the world Mt. 24:14