Christ The King

Every Church year concludes with the solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King. We celebrate this final Sunday of the Church year with the fundamental Christian belief that Jesus Christ is the universal king and judge of all. By virtue of our baptism we are citizens of His kingdom. Our King calls us to his throne of love and compassion. The journey involves sacrifice. The cost is our self-determination of will. Worshiping our King while here in this world will lead us to the peace and joy of his eternal kingdom. He is the only King we need to know and follow. We follow Christ our King because of His perfect example of humility, service and love. It is this kingdom that we work to bring others to. If Christ is not our king, then who is? If Christ is our king, then be an example of loving service as He showed us. Long live Christ our King!

Ordinary Time 33

Cicero said a long time ago, "A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all other virtues." Yes, we have much to be thankful for. This weekend in our second collection we thank the retired religious who dedicated their lives to Christ and to the service of others. On Tuesday evening our parish is hosting the annual Montour Association of Churches Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service.  It is at this service that we as a community of believers can give thanks to God in a special way. On Thursday, we celebrate our national feast of Thanksgiving and as a nation we have the opportunity to thank God for what we are and all that we have. Yes, we have much to be thankful for, so please remember to thank God for the many blessings we have in our lives. "If the only prayer you say in your life is thank you, that would suffice." - Meister Eckhart

Ordinary Time 32

Today we are blessed with beautiful examples of self-sacrifice and not counting the cost. Two widows share and give all they have. Eleanor Roosevelt has been quoted as saying, "We must do that which we do not think we can do." We are challenged to give from our heart, not only from our pocket; to give that which we do no recognize as ours to give.  Even in these difficult economic times, using up our whole livelehood is not something that many of us face. But there are people around us that have to make those choices, folks who have lost a job, suffer huge medical expenses, or are suddenly without a spouse because of death or divorce.  For some the temptation may be that of the widow and her son in the first reading, "when we have eaten what is left, we shall die." While Elijah worked a miracle, the Gospel today suggests that the miracle does not come from outside, but from within the community that knows those in need and reaches out.

Ordinary Time 31

This Tuesday is Election Day, a day where voters go and cast their votes. What a great privledge and opportunity we have as Americans to choose our government leaders. Our vote does count; always remember that. Every act of responsible citizenship is an exercise of significant individual power. Remember we get the public officials we deserve. Their vitue - or lack thereof - is a judgment not only on them but on us. "Because of this we are urged to see beyond party politics, to analyze campaign rhetoric critically, and to choose our political leaders according to principle, not party affiliation or mere self interest" (1998, U.S. Bishops, Living the Gospel of Life). Even our Catholic Catechism reminds us of our responsibility. It says, "Submission to authority and co-responsibility for the common good make it morally obligatory to pay taxes, to exercise the right to vote, and to defend one's county" [CCC 2240]. Please remember to vote!

Ordinary Time 30

This week we celebrate two important feasts: All Saints - November 1st and All Souls - November 2nd.  These feasts celebrate our Christian belief in life after death.  A tradition in many cultures is the home altar.  The altar is usually a small table placed in the family room on which is placed a statue or picture of Jesus, Mary or other favorite saints.  A candle can be lit to signify presence and prayer.  Pictures of deceased family members can also be placed on the altar with memories shared about them with the children.  Another tradition during this month of November is to visit the graves of loved ones, perhaps cleaning the markers and leaving behind some flowers.  Children should see that cemeteries and graves are cared for as a sign of respect not only for the deceased, but also to the bereaved and the descendants who visit.

A Prayer at the Graveside
Lord Jesus Christ, by your own three days in the tomb, you hallowed the graves of all who believe in you and so made the grave a sign of hope that promises resurrection even as it claims our mortal bodies.  Grant that our brother/sister, N. may sleep here in peace until you awaken him/her to glory, for you are the resurrection and the life.  Then he/she will see you face to face and in your light will see and know the splendor of God, for you live and reign forever and ever. Amen.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let the perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace. Amen.
May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Ordinary Time 29

What does it mean to be humble in today's world? Mother Teresa famously said, "When you don't have anything, then you have everything." We hear so much about the need to be in charge of our lives, to stand up for what we believe in, to take personal responsibility. In some ways, that was what Jesus was asking of James and John. They were to take charge of their lives and not look for personal favors to get them ahead. That's where humility comes in. It is recognizing that life is not a struggle about getting ahead of everyone else. Rather, it is about taking the measure of ourselves and striving to do our best with what God has given us.

Ordinary Time 28

I survived the festival and I am back to my regular sleep schedule.  Before the festival, I was able to travel to Mount Saint Mary's Seminary for their priest reunion/homecoming and celebrate my twenty-five anniversary with several of my classmates.  It was good to see them; one I hadn't seen since we left the seminary.  We shared stories of our ministry and how our priesthood is going.  We all agreed it takes a lot to really follow Jesus and to lead his people closer to him.
Jesus wants us all to follow him and he is inviting each of us to follow him.  In today's Gospel story, Jesus looked at the rich man and loved him and then invited him to follow.  It is no less for us.  Jesus loves us all, and invites us to follow him by remembering the poor.  Indeed, he even promises us that as we give up wealth and possessions for the sake of the kingdom, we will be blessed even more.  Remember to help someone today!