Foreign Allegiance

Deacon Tom Writes,

“Foreign Allegiance”

The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, Year B

As we celebrate the end of our Liturgical Year with the Feast of Christ the King, we are reminded that, like Jesus, “our kingdom is not of this world”. As Disciples of Christ, our loyalties are to Him and to the Kingdom that He revealed, suffered and died for and invited us to share.

But Jesus’ path of least resistance before Pilate when He refuses to summon “his attendants… to keep from being handed over” doesn’t in any way mean that the Kingdom of God is for the weak and the timid. On the contrary, those who strive to live in His Kingdom will be called upon to make greater sacrifices than those who employ armed resistance. A much higher price than dying on the battlefield will be demanded. The cost to be borne by those seeking entry into the Kingdom Jesus establishes is self-surrender; it is the slow and agonizing death to self that results from the taking up of our daily crosses, as when we suffer the hardships, disappointments, and sorrows of this life knowing that we are not alone or forgotten by God; it is in the dying to self, as when we forgive others for the hurts they have caused us or when we place the needs of others before our own. It is in making our best effort to follow where Jesus leads us on our journey of faith and to trust in His divine providence that… it will all work out for the good.

Jesus’ testimony before Pilate stands as a reminder of our calling to “live in the world but not be of the world, for… “Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world”. We have, in other words, a foreign allegiance” to one who is not of this world. To be faithful subjects of His Kingdom, Jesus must reign in our hearts so that we become like Him and take up the work that He began, the work of peace and justice. We must act as ambassadors of Christ, spreading His love, mercy, and compassion. We must invite Christ’s Spirit to dwell in our hearts, fill us up and overflow into the lives of all who pass our way!  

Enjoy the day!

Deacon Tom

The Passing Of Time And Place

Deacon Tom Writes,

“The Passing of Time and Place”

Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

Our Liturgical Year comes to a close next Sunday on the Feast of Christ the King. As we reflect about the passing of another year, our readings today focus our attention on the “End Times”. The physical laws of the universe tell us that all things must come to an end. That pertains to our world as well. Today we read an account of those days and they paint of pretty grim picture. The Prophet Daniel says, “it will be a time unsurpassed in distress”. Jesus tells His disciples, “the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give it’s light.” 

Daniel tells us that during these devastating days, “the wise shall shine brightly….and those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars forever.”  Jesus tells His disciples that, “they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds… and he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds.”

Today’s readings tell us some truth about the future. Hollywood imagines the “how” in its myriad depictions of “the end times”; our Christian focus is on the “what”. For we all must consider how we live our lives and prepare ourselves for that day which will be our last. Through the eyes of faith we know that we have nothing to worry about on our “last days” if we have been faithful to our Baptismal promises and have used the time God has give us wisely, helping others, sharing their burdens and lightening their loads, comforting them during their times of sorrow. Aware of our shortcomings in this life we trust in God’s abundant love, mercy and compassion that He will come and gather His faithful sons and daughters from the “four winds” and bring us home to be with Him forever when our time comes. Our days are numbered, as is all creation. And there will come a time when all that we see will be transformed into the new heaven and earth that awaits us.  

Enjoy the day!

Deacon Tom

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