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Dear
Preachers:
During Advent we are posting reflections on our
webpage drawn from the daily Mass Scriptures. They are written by friars,
sisters and laity of the Dominican Family.
For these daily and enriching Advent meditations go to:
https://PreacherExchange.com/
And click on the ADVENT link button on the upper
left.
 Today’s
first reading, from Daniel, is from a section of visions in chapters 7-12. In
ancient times, as well as our own, people in crisis need hope. Scriptural
writers offered that hope in various forms and, as we noted last week, one form
is apocalyptic writing. It is a form of literature that, in a large, flamboyant
language of dreams, visions and symbols, communicates the hope that goodness
will finally overcome evil and that the faithful, despite current struggles and
persecutions, will be vindicated by God.
Daniel may be narrating a “vision,” but he is not merely sharing a dream he had
the previous night with a friend over a cup of coffee. Instead, he is speaking
words of hope to his contemporaries. He wrote almost two centuries before Christ
to encourage his people not to give in to the Greek tyrant Antiochus Epiphanes
IV, who was persecuting the Jews for their faith. Besides the torture and death
threatened by Antiochus, there were Jews who were attracted by the allure of the
pagan Greek world’s philosophy, culture and science. These Jews were not so much
in danger of punishment for their faith, as they were in danger of losing their
faith by adopting the ways and religions of the pagans.
The pagan world around them looked very attractive and so they were drawn to the
gods who seemed to be the reason for the power, splendor and success of the
dominant Greeks. Each age has its power and attractions to draw believers away
from the faith – especially if the believers are among a vulnerable and defeated
minority. Why not go over to the “other side,” join the winners and be
successful? It makes sense, doesn’t it?
I saw my first Christmas display in a highway store about two months ago—it was
early October! I was on my way to preach a parish retreat and had stopped for
coffee. I stared at what was, the first wave of a soon-to-be tsunami of
Christmas displays and advertisements. There will be no escape, I thought –
stores, t.v., the malls, magazines, internet pop-ups, etc. We may not be under
the thumb of the Greek tyrant Antiochus, but commercialism and the materialism
it fosters, are oppressive nevertheless, especially for our susceptible youth.
They will see and hear ads for the latest and expensive “got-to-haves.” Parents
will feel the pressures to please their children and so lay out lots of money to
satisfy them. But its not just the kids who will be tantalized by the allure. We
adults will be too. And we will put ourselves into debt to worship this pagan
deity of the season.
There are pagan gods all around us that promise us happiness and success – in
one form or another. Daniel’s concern for his bewildered and suffering people
applies to us as well. Who is going to win this struggle for the hearts and
souls of people? Will evil, or the world’s more subtle seduction of our spirits,
win out in the end? Daniel doesn’t think so, as he assures us today in his
vision of “...one like the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven.” In the
court of “the Ancient One” this Son of Man is given “dominion, glory and
kingship” over the whole earth. The Son of Man figure will be more powerful than
any and all evil earthly rulers. He comes from God’s courts and has God’s
dominion and glory. This good rule will not pass the way earthly rule does, but
will last forever. Imagine...goodness being universal and lasting forever!
Daniel speaks to all who grow weary trying to resist the persistent worldly foes
who are against who we are and what we believe.
The early church believed Jesus was this Son of Man. He called himself by that
title and referred to his sufferings using that name for himself – “the Son of
Man will suffer.” He is also the One who will return on the clouds from heaven.
Those for whom Daniel wrote and the early Christians, suffered at the hands of
the hostile world. But they were also attracted by its power and allure. It
looked like Jesus wasn’t returning right away – if at all – so why not go over
to the victorious side? It’s a question we modern believers must answer as well.
This is the last Sunday of the liturgical year. Next week, with Advent, a new
year and a new cycle of readings begin. Today the readings have an integrity all
their own; they are prepared for today. But, I think, today’s feast also starts
us thinking about next week and the start of a new church year. As with the
civic calendar, the old year is tucked away and we look forward to the one that
is coming with hope and anticipation. Maybe I’ll grow spiritually this coming
year. Maybe I’ll let go of some debilitating patterns in my life and experience
more freedom. Maybe I’ll finally make some resolutions that I will keep! We make
new year resolutions at the beginning of January. Perhaps we can make some
resolutions for next week’s new liturgical year. We have a week to consider what
they will be—something other than going on a diet, or getting more exercise!
Save those for January 1st. Choose resolutions that will nourish our spirits, or
change a detrimental habit. We’ll bring them here next week, for we know we
don’t have to make any changes on our own. When we grow in Christ, we are
assured we will have Christ to accompany and strengthen us.
Today’s feast helps our thinking about putting away the past and turning to new
life. Today Christ issues again his invitation to us to “...belong to the
truth.” He is suggesting to us at this time and place to choose him as the
sovereign voice we listen to and that guides our path. Who has had dominion over
us this past year? Whose voice or voices did we listen to and follow? Are we
better off, more peaceful and reconciled with ourselves and others because we
followed those other voices? Better we listen to Jesus today who says to Pilate
and us, “Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”
Jesus is the fulfillment of Daniel’s vision. He is the Son of Man [or, the Son
of Humanity] who reveals God to us, speaks the truth about the world’s misguided
values and choices. He does not choose the ways of the world – might, material
goods and the flashing lights that attract us. Instead, he says, “My kingdom
does not belong to this world.” Remember that John frequently uses “the world”
to refer to those who reject God and who prefer darkness to light. This “world”
does not give life, but death; does not choose the truth, but lies. Jesus rules
because he speaks the truth and those who search for what is true and good will
find and accept him. Jesus is standing before Pilate, but is very unlike him. He
does not have an army to summon and fight for him. Instead, those of us who hear
his voice and accept his truth belong to his kingdom—where God rules, not by
might, but by love.
The liturgical year ends inviting us to once again choose and recommit ourselves
to Jesus and his rule in our lives. He reminds us that his voice will lead us to
truth and membership into a kingdom of life. The choice is ours—will we serve
him, our king, or the world that lies and leads to death?
Click here for a
link to this Sunday’s readings:
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112424.cfm
QUOTABLE
The location of Jesus’ Kingdom is in God.
It is not a kingdom that turns to violence. Even so, while Jesus says “my
kingdom does not belong to this world,” it does not mean that it cannot be
found here. But it does not work as the kingdoms of this world work. Jesus’
Kingdom does not resort to violence and combat to work its will. It does not
function here as other kingdoms do.
—James A. Wallace, CssR, Robert Waznak, SS, and
Guerric De Bona, OSB, in LIFT UP YOUR HEARTS: HOMILIES AND REFLECTIONS FOR THE
“B” CYCLE. New York: Paulist Press, 2006. Paper, ISBN 0-8091-4368-2
JUSTICE BULLETIN BOARD
If my
kingdom did belong to this world. . .
John 18:36
What would the world look like if the kingdom
were here in its fullness? In my imagination, the only law that would be
necessary is the Law of Love –for God, self, and other. How is love best
expressed?
A quote by Saint Pope John Paul II refines my simplistic thoughts more. He
states, “The world designed by God is a world of justice. The relationship
between people must be based on justice. This order must be continually
implanted in the world, since social systems are constantly changing and new
possibilities and necessities of the distribution of goods are developing. The
world designed by God cannot be a world in which some hoard immoderate wealth in
their hands, while others suffer from destitution and poverty, and die of
hunger. Love must inspire justice and the struggle for justice” (1980). Justice
is love in action.
Most Catholics, at least with a little
prompting of our memory, can name the Ten Commandments and the seven sacraments.
With a little more prompting, we know the eight beatitudes, the three
theological virtues, and the seven corporal and seven spiritual works of mercy.
Yet, how many of us can name the ten foundational social principles that are,
also, an essential part of our Catholic faith? These would be well-known and
well-lived tenets in God’s kingdom.
Here are the Ten Foundational Principles in the
Social Teaching of the Church as presented by Fr. Robert P. Maloney,
C.M.:
- 1. The Principle of the Dignity of the
Human Person
- 2. The Principle of Respect for Human Life
- 3. The Principle of Association
- 4. The Principle of Participation
- 5. The Principle of Preferential
Protection for the Poor
- 6. The Principle of Solidarity
- 7. The Principle of Stewardship
- 8. The Principle of Subsidiarity
- 9. The Principle of Human Equality
- 10. The Principle of the Common Good
Wouldn’t the world look and act a whole lot
different if these were essential teachings from birth throughout life? The
Society of St. Vincent de Paul writes in their formation guide, “Serving in
Hope,” “Principles, once internalized, lead to something. They prompt activity,
impel motion, direct choices.” You now have a total picture of God’s kingdom;
how will you make it possible?
Barbara
Molinari Quinby, MPS, Director
Office of Human Life, Dignity, and Justice Ministries
Holy Name of Jesus
Cathedral, Raleigh, NC
FAITH BOOK
Mini-reflections on the Sunday scripture readings
designed for persons on the run.
“Faith Book” is also brief enough to be posted in the Sunday parish
bulletins people take home.
From today’s Gospel reading:
Jesus said to
Pilate,
“My kingdom does not belong to this world.”
Reflection:
Jesus is redefining the very notion of what
"king" and "kingdom" mean. Jesus draws members to his kingdom and to himself,
not by the force of power, but through the truth of his words and the love he
engenders in those who hear and receive his message.
So, we ask ourselves:
- How does my citizenship in Jesus’ kingdom
affect the way I live my daily life?
- How can I recognize the signs of Jesus’
kingdom?
POSTCARDS TO DEATH ROW INMATES
“One has to strongly affirm that
condemnation to the death penalty is an inhuman measure that humiliates
personal dignity, in whatever form it is carried out." ---Pope Francis
Inmates on death row are the most forgotten
people in the prison system. Each week I am posting in this space several
inmates’ names and locations. I invite you to write a postcard to one or more of
them to let them know that: we have not forgotten them; are praying for them and
their families; or, whatever personal encouragement you might like to give them.
If the inmate responds, you might consider becoming pen pals.
Please write to:
- Erroll Moses #0552017 (On death row since
11/18/1997)
- Michael Braxton #0043529 (11/21/1997)
- Jimmie Lawrence #0597164 (12/11/1997)
----Central Prison P.O. 247
Phoenix, MD 21131
Please note: Central Prison is in
Raleigh, NC., but for security purposes, mail to inmates is processed through a
clearing house at the above address in Maryland.
For more information on the Catholic position
on the death penalty go to the Catholic Mobilizing Network:
http://catholicsmobilizing.org/resources/cacp/
On this page you can sign “The National
Catholic Pledge to End the Death Penalty.” Also, check the interfaith page for
People of Faith Against the Death Penalty: http://www.pfadp.org/
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If you are a preacher,
lead a Lectionary-based scripture group, or are a member of a liturgical team,
these CDs will be helpful in your preparation process. Individual worshipers
report they also use these reflections as they prepare for Sunday liturgy.
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