Author: admin

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Gospel: Luke 21:5-11

While some people were speaking about
how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings,
Jesus said, “All that you see here–
the days will come when there will not be left
a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.”

Then they asked him,
“Teacher, when will this happen?
And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?” 
He answered,
“See that you not be deceived,
for many will come in my name, saying,
‘I am he,’ and ‘The time has come.’ 
Do not follow them! 
When you hear of wars and insurrections,
do not be terrified; for such things must happen first,
but it will not immediately be the end.” 
Then he said to them,
“Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 
There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues
from place to place;
and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

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It seems everyone wants to know when the world is ending, even the disciples in today’s Gospel. But Jesus only offers them an elusive answer, saying, there will be wars, earthquakes, famines and plagues.

But even that will not be the end. So, the easiest answer is simply, “Nobody knows.” 

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Perhaps it’s wisest to focus on two things that we do know are coming to an end.

The first is quite obvious – we’re approaching the end of the year. The leaves are falling, the days are getting darker and colder, and the time for harvesting is over. 

Winter is at hand.

As we prepare to mark the end of this calendar year, we should take a few moments to reflect upon 2021. It was a strange year in many ways: COVID’s still present; our nation remains divided; the economy is still recovering, and so on.

While it’s easy to see the negatives, what can we say went right?

Did we draw closer to the Lord? Did we become more grateful for the people and blessings in our lives?

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While we know neither the day nor the hour, we also know that our lives are coming to an end.

Think of the person who received a terminal diagnosis…the officer or soldier who didn’t return home…or those who lost their lives in wildfires or hurricanes this year.

For them, the world – not just the year – came unexpectedly to an end.

It’s a sobering truth, but Jesus reminds us today to remember that all things are passing, even the world and we who call it home. 

So, how ready are we to see the Lord?

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Advent is the time for us to reflect on these deeper, more uncomfortable, questions. We know the Lord is coming. But, we who are prepared shall rejoice to see him as we enter his kingdom of peace.

Come, Lord Jesus.

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Image credits: (1) Velocity Test Prep (Loony Tunes) (2) Our Savior Lutheran Church (3) We Heart It

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Gospel: Luke 21: 1-4

When Jesus looked up he saw some wealthy people
putting their offerings into the treasury
and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins.
He said, “I tell you truly,
this poor widow put in more than all the rest;
for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth,
but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

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While studying for the priesthood, I spent a summer in El Salvador learning Spanish. I spent half of my time living in an orphanage, and the other half living with a young priest who was responsible for ninety different parish communities!

I was stunned to learn that some Catholics in Central America are only able to see a priest once a year because of the number of priests and the territory they must cover.

When the priest arrives, the entire community comes out to celebrate.

I remember journeying to one small village, in particular, out in the middle of nowhere called El Havviyal. Every home there consisted of a single room made of mud, cement and sticks.

When we arrived, the community leader welcomed us into her home where she put out a very large spread. It must’ve taken her days to prepare all of the food.

This was a real sacrifice for her and her family… because they were feeding us, they probably didn’t eat that day. Or even the day before.

Like the widow in today’s Gospel, from their poverty, these villagers gave everything they had.

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Why is it that the poor tend to be the most generous?

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In my experience, so many of them take nothing for granted. There’s a strong sense of empathy and solidarity that grows out of suffering.

Those villagers knew what an empty stomach felt like, which is why they wanted mine to be full.

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I wonder, what would it look like for us to have that same type of generosity – to give until it hurts? To pray until it hurts? To volunteer, to serve, or to forgive until it hurts?

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As we enter this holiday season, may we live like the poor in some way, giving until it hurts. Then we can say with Jesus and the poor of the earth, we’ve given all we have.

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Image credits: (1) Personal (2) Compassion International (3) Pinterest

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Gospel: John 18:33-37

Pilate said to Jesus,
“Are you the King of the Jews?” 
Jesus answered, “Do you say this on your own
or have others told you about me?” 
Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? 
Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. 
What have you done?” 
Jesus answered, “My kingdom does not belong to this world.
If my kingdom did belong to this world,
my attendants would be fighting
to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. 
But as it is, my kingdom is not here.” 
So Pilate said to him, “Then you are a king?” 
Jesus answered, “You say I am a king. 
For this I was born and for this I came into the world,
to testify to the truth. 
Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

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What do major companies like Dunkin’ Donuts and Apple have in common?

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They have mission statements.

For example, the mission statement of Dunkin’ Donuts is, “to make and serve the freshest, most delicious coffee and donuts.” 

If you believe them, then you buy their coffee and donuts.

The mission of Apple is, “to design the best personal computers in the world.” 

If you believe them, then you buy their products.

We here at St. Pius X have our own mission statement: “Building Community. Worshipping God. Making Disciples.”

As we continue doing these things well, word will spread, and our parish will continue to grow as people believe in our mission.

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Jesus has a mission statement, too. In today’s Gospel, he tells us, “For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth.”

Do we believe him? Does Christ reveal the mind and the heart of God?

If he does, then everything in our lives changes.

But this is a question that everyone must answer for themselves – the powerful, the poor, the ordinary, kings and queens, even Pontius Pilate, whom we encounter in today’s Gospel.

Does Jesus testify to the truth?

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Pilate must answer this question under immense pressure.

The religious authorities have arrested Jesus and brought him before Pilate, demanding that Pilate execute him.

Though this is the first time that Jesus and Pilate have met, Pilate has heard of Jesus before.

He knows that Jesus has developed a following over the last three years through his preaching, his concern for the poor, his forgiveness of sinners, and his performance of miracles.

Still, Pilate remains undecided about who Jesus is. Is he some strange, earthly king? Is he a prophet? Is he something more, perhaps even God in the flesh?

Pilate reveals his uncertainty by oscillating back and forth between Jesus and the crowds seven different times. He’s so torn that he turns to Jesus, asking him, “What is truth?”

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Pilate’s decision will determine his future.

The crowds want Jesus dead. If Pilate frees Jesus, then the crowds will storm his palace, causing a riot to ensue.

But if Pilate hands Jesus over, then he’ll be sentencing an innocent man – even God – to death.

Believing in Jesus as the Truth will cost Pilate everything – his position, his power, and possibly his life. Is it worth it?

Ironically enough, Jesus preached about this very dilemma during his public ministry: “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul?”

What does it profit Pilate to remain in power for a few more years, if he loses his place in Christ’s kingdom?

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If only it were so easy to believe and to follow the truth.

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Pilate represents where so many people in our world find themselves today: soul searching, seeking, wondering, “What is truth?”

It’s normal to question. I’m sure many of us have wondered at some point: “What is truth? Is there a God? Is Jesus he?”

I think of our young people, in particular. Hasn’t every parent had a child ask them a hard question about God. “Mom, if God exists, then why does he allow bad things to happen?” … “Dad, how did God become a baby at Christmas?”

Even if we don’t have the answer to all of their questions – or even to our own – at some point, we all have to step out onto the water, as it were, and make that fundamental decision of whether or not to believe in Jesus as the Truth.

That decision – whether we accept him or reject him – shapes the rest of our lives, much as it did for Pontius Pilate.

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So, what do major companies like Dunkin’ Donuts and Apple have in common? 

They have mission statements. They tell us what they offer and why. If we believe them, then we buy their products.

Similarly, Jesus tells us his mission statement: “For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth.”

It is our mission here at Saint Pius X to deepen our faith in Jesus and to shape our lives around the truth he reveals.

While that may be a life-long journey, we will all do it together.

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Image credits: (1) (2) Brian Zahnd (3) Rambling Ever On (4) YouTube, St. Pius X Old Tappan