News - November 2021 RSS Feed

It’s the First Sunday of Advent—a new liturgical year for the Church. How does our liturgical year work? The first place to consider is our Lectionary—the source of all Scripture readings for Mass and the Sacraments. Here I’m concerned only with the Mass.

Jesus Christ is our King: not a president or a prime minister or a governor—He is of royal lineage from eternity, and He is also our High Priest and ultimate Prophet, speaking God’s Word to us since He IS the Eternal Word. Christ Jesus, Victor! Christ Jesus, Ruler! Christ Jesus, Lord and Redeemer! AMEN!

Let’s let Mark’s question resonate within us: who do WE say that Jesus is? And what difference does it make in our lives, however we respond?

The lesson for us is not about what we’re willing to give; it’s about what we’re not willing to give. Go back again to the rich (young) man on the one hand, and blind Bartimaeus on the other. Which one would we rather want to be? Which one are we more likely to be? Fantasy time: wouldn’t it be great if the poor widow and Bartimaeus met and got married??