Christ the King                After knowing that man had just walked on the moon for the first time, a sister of the Missionaries of Charity asked Mother Teresa, “Mother, do you think you will be able to go to the moon?” Mother Teresa answered, “If there are poor, sick, rejected abandoned and dying people on … Continue reading MEETING JESUS IN THE POOR

Christ the King                Once a year we celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King. Today’s liturgy is proclaiming and reaffirming his universal kingship. However, the whole notion of Christ’s kingship is rather confusing. Did that person, Jesus, want to be a king? Remember that when the devil wanted to make him a king, Jesus … Continue reading JESUS AND HIS KIND OF KINGDOM

Christ the King                There is an anecdote in the life of St. Martin of Tours… A poor man approached him and asked for alms. Martin had no money, but seeing that man shivering in the cold, he took his cloak from his shoulders, cut it in two with his sword, and gave half to … Continue reading RESPONDING TO JESUS’ NEEDS

Saturday, 33rd Week in Ordinary Time                      “He is not God of the dead, but of the living…”             One of the most important teachings of Jesus is the resurrection of the dead. This teaching encourages the disciples to take Jesus’ words to heart. There is a great reward for believing and living the words … Continue reading GOD OF THE LIVING

Friday, 33rd Week in Ordinary Time                          Today’s gospel reading is known as “the cleansing of the temple.” The temple in Jerusalem was seen as God’s dwelling place. But what Jesus is saying is: “I am God’s dwelling place among you.” “My body is now the sacred dwelling place of God.” In cleansing the temple … Continue reading DEFILING GOD’S TEMPLE

Thursday, 33rd Week in Ordinary Time                     “You did not recognize the time of your visitation.”             In the Old Testament, visitation has two meanings. When God visits his people, either he announces good news or gives punishment. God visits Abraham to announce the birth of their long-awaited offspring. God visits Sodom and Gomorrah to … Continue reading GOD’S VISITATION

Wednesday, 33rd Week in Ordinary Time                  Today’s gospel parable talks about nobleman who went off to a distant country. When the nobleman-turned-king returns, he exacts an accounting from his servants.             While the first two increase the sum of money through their industry, the third wraps it in a piece of cloth, earning no … Continue reading FAITHFUL TO OUR CHARGE

Tuesday, 33rd Week in Ordinary Time                       Today’s gospel tells us that Zacchaeus “was seeking to see who Jesus was.” This particular line is so rich in meaning and significance. And I cannot help but ask: Are we seeking to see Jesus? Do we want to see Jesus and be with him? The gospel is … Continue reading INVASION OF GRACE

Monday, 33rd Week in Ordinary Time                       “Lord, please let me see.”             The blind man in today’s gospel story was not only cured of his blindness but, more importantly, he allowed himself to be enlightened by Jesus. Blindness in the Bible is very often a symbol of spiritual blindness. It is the incapacity to … Continue reading LET ME SEE

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time                     Sports aficionados will tell you that when a team – be it basketball, volleyball, football – develops a comfortable lead, they are tempted to play too conservatively, too defensively. Unless a team stays aggressive, they can easily squander a big lead. In fact, games have been lost because coaches … Continue reading TOO SAFE, TOO SORRY