ADVENT: A TIME TO REMEMBER THE FUTURE WITH HOPE

"AND THEN THEY WILL SEE THE SON OF MAN COMING

IN A CLOUD WITH GREAT POWER AND GLORY."

Today we begin a new liturgical year, the spiritual journey in which we relive the wonders the Lord has done for all mankind and do our best to respond to His love. We begin this journey with the season of Advent, a season in which we recall the fundamental truth of Christ’s Second Coming in glory, and we prepare to commemorate His first coming in the humility of the Incarnation.

At the same time, while professing our faith in the glorious coming of the Lord at the end of time and while preparing our hearts to celebrate the wonder of Christmas, we are also reminded of Christ’s constant coming into our lives through the Sacraments and our neighbor.

As we are about to begin this Eucharist, let us ask the Lord for the grace to be always ready to welcome him at any time with a heart full of trust, hope, and love.

Jesus said to his disciples: “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.

Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.”

ALL HAIL TO THE KING OF OUR HEARTS

On this last Sunday of the liturgical year, we are invited to renew our allegiance to Jesus as our Lord and King. Today, we have also a new opportunity to realize the immense number of graces the Lord has granted us in the course of this liturgical year.

And as we call to mind these favors, we gladly express our most sincere gratitude for them. At the end of this Mass, we will renew the consecration of ourselves, our families, and the entire nation to Jesus, King of the universe.

Let this Eucharistic celebration be a clear manifestation of our love for him who is our Lord and Savior, and a treasured opportunity to recommit ourselves to be his loyal subjects and faithful followers.

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 FEATURES OF CHRIST'S KINGDOM

Already Herod had made a big blunder. On hearing that there was a newborn king of the Jews he felt threatened, challenged in his greed for power. And he ordered that heinous slaughter of the innocents for which he will always be remembered with horror. (See Mt 2:16.)

In this respect, Pilate was wiser. He did not see in Jesus any threat to the Roman occupation. As far as he was concerned, there was no case against the harmless preacher/philosopher from Nazareth who appeared to be interested in the truth, rather than in political power. (See Jn 18:38.)

Not that Pilate had understood much of Jesus’ clarification that His kingdom was “not of this world.” For him, it was enough to hear that Jesus did not entertain any political ambitions . . . .

But for those who love Jesus and are interested in the Kingdom he has been “advertising” for three years, his answer to the Roman Procurator should be absolutely intriguing. Jesus’ answer is an invitation to reflect on the nature and demands of his Kingdom.

What’s this Kingdom, then, which is so different from any other earthly kingdom, empire, or republic? A kingdom that is not identified by any visible borders, has no taxes, no parliament, no army?

Christ’s Reign is a “Kingdom within.” It encompasses the whole person: body, mind, heart. Nothing that is human escapes it. And all men are invited to be part of it – all races, cultures, traditions, languages can find in it not just a place but their “home.”

This Kingdom will last for ever. The splendor of its achievements and the fulfillment of its program span beyond the dark boundaries of time and earthly decay. Christ’s Reign is everlasting. It shares in the eternity of its Ruler and draws its vitality from the very Source
of Life.

Founded on the ashes of a rotten mankind, now made new by God’s merciful love, this “unconventional” Kingdom was established at the cost of the life of its Founder. It advances irresistibly toward a final triumph, in spite of occasional defeats and setbacks.

Its program and overriding concern is the total and lasting happiness of all humans. Its flag/symbol is a resplendent cross; its fundamental law is love of God and neighbor. Radical in its demands, this law has a transforming power: it can fashion frail human creatures into children of the Most High, patterned after Jesus, the First-born of the Father’s family.

Such is the X-ray chart of the Kingdom rejected by the Jews and dismissed by Pilate as irrelevant. For us, privileged to be part of it, this is the most precious treasure man can ever dream of – something, to possess which, we should be prepared to lose everything, including physical life itself.

WE AWAIT IN HOPE THE RETURN OF THE LORD

"HEAVEN AND EARTH WILL PASS AWAY,

BUT MY WORDS WILL NOT PASS AWAY."

On this 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, our readings remind us of an important truth of our Christian faith: the return of Christ in glory to gather His elect and make them share in His everlasting glory.

This is our faith in spite of the occasional triumph of the wicked and their apparent going scot-free. Today’s Word of God assures us that on Judgment Day, perfect justice will be done: the virtuous will rise to be with Jesus in eternal happiness; the wicked will rise to bear the consequence of their rejection of God’s call to conversion.

Such a message gives hope to all those who may not be getting their due in this life. It is also an appeal to those who are living in sin to go back to the Lord as soon as possible, for no one knows when the end will come. Let the perseverance of the just and the conversion of sinners be among the main intentions for which we offer this Eucharist.

Jesus said to his disciples: “In those days after that tribulation the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.

And then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in the clouds’ with great power and glory, and then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the end of the earth to the end of the sky.

Learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see these things happening, know that he is near, at the gates.

Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”

LONG LIVE GENEROUS HEARTS

Today we are invited to reflect on the importance of being generous, regardless of whether we are rich or poor. The generosity of a person is not measured by the amount one gives, but by the disposition which prompts the giving.

There are many ways of being rich, just as there are many ways of being poor, for material wealth and money are not the only factors that determine what a person can offer. But the highest form of richness and generosity is that loving disposition toward others which, like an inexhaustible fountain, gives its very best without asking for anything in return.

Such spiritual richness will never be affected by any economic crisis because its “shares” are bonded with the abundant bank of God. In this Eucharist let us ask for this grace for ourselves and all the people dear to us.


In the course of his teaching Jesus said to the crowds, “Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes and accept greetings in the marketplaces, seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets. They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext, recite lengthy prayers. They will receive a very severe condemnation.”

He sat down opposite the treasury and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents. Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, “Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.”

NATIONAL SHRINE OF THE SACRED HEART: JUBILEE SHRINE

NATIONAL SHRINE OF THE SACRED HEART

JUBILEE SHRINE

As of October 2, 2009, First Friday of the month, the National Shrine of the Sacred Heart was declared a JUBILEE SHRINE, officiated by the Archbishop of Manila; Cardinal Gaudencio B. Rosales at a concelebrated Mass at 7:30 that morning.

The honor is granted to this Church for being a National Shrine of the Sacred Heart, this year being declared a Year of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, plus being the Year of the Priests (150th death anniversary of St. John Vianney, Cure of Ars - Parish Priest of Ars).

To gain the plenary indulgence, all who visit the Shrine must be in the state of grace, receive Holy Communion, and say the following prayers for the intentions of the Holy Father (Pope Benedict XVI) and Priests: Apostles Creed, Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, and the invocations: Sacred Heart of Jesus, Have mercy on us; Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pray for us; St. John Marie Vianney, Pray for us.

The indulgences obtained may be for oneself or passed on to our beloved dead. More detailed information on how to obtain plenary indulgences can be read here.