SOCL, Christ the KingB

Sunday November 24, 2024

Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.

See

It is possible to contrast the various philosophies and religions as systems of ideas and as ethical paradigms. What is distinctive of Christianity, however, is the centrality of the person of Jesus. In his own ministry, he proclaimed the Good News of the reign of God. The Good News for Paul is Jesus’ death and resurrection. Christianity is different: we have not only a message but a person to proclaim.

Listen

Daniel 7:13-14; Psalm 93 (92):1-2,5; Revelation 1:5-8; John 18:33-37

Reflect

(John 18:33-37)

-The feast we have today and the gospel give us an opportunity to react on the different ways in which we, and others, exercise inuence and leadership. The authority of Pilate came from position and power. The authority of Jesus came from his integrity and what he stood for. Recall leaders you have known whose inuence was like that of Jesus.

-The values of the kingdom of God cannot be imposed. It is never a matter of ghting battles, or forcing others into compliance. Perhaps through experience you have learned the limitations of the use of force, as a parent, a teacher, a group leader. What has been the good news, the learnings for you, in this?

-Jesus came to bear witness to the truth and we are all created for a purpose. What do you believe is the purpose of your life? Recall times when you have been able to bear witness to this. What fruit has this witness had for yourself and/or others?

Pray

Almighty and eternal God, to Jesus Christ, rst-born from the dead, you have granted everlasting dominion and a kingship that shall not pass away. Remove from us every desire for privilege and power, that we may imitate the sacricial love of Christ our King, and, as a royal and priestly people, serve you humbly in our brothers and sisters. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

References

The Lord Is King

SOCL, Sunday33B

Sunday November 17, 2024

But about that day or hour no one knows, but only the Father.

See

Our expression “to have time for someone” is a heart-warming one, because giving time to someone is a real gift of myself, part of our consciousness of being human. The opposite—lack of time—is expressed in another idiom “Money rich but time poor.” To be poor in time is a great deprivation, even when self-inflicted. It is all a question of perspective, values and choices. We do need to value the fleeting time we have and not live only towards a future, as yet unreal, moment. In the words of St Paul, Look, now is the acceptable time; look, now is the day of salvation! (2 Corinthians 6:2)

Listen

Daniel 12:1-3; Psalm 16 (15); Hebrews 10:11-14, 18; Mark 13:24-32

Reflect

(Mark 13:24-32)

-Jesus speaks of the established order falling apart, but the collapse of the old order opened the way for new possibilities. When have you seen something new and hopeful emerge after the collapse of something that you had expected to endure much longer, perhaps even for ever?

-The parable of the fig tree. Even in winter it begins to put forth leaves which give a hint of the fruit to come. Where have you found signs of hope in a wintry situation – in your own life, in the life of some group, in the life of the Church?

-Jesus proposes no clear time-scale for the events being foretold, so the final sentence (v. 32) is a call to alertness, to live the present to the full. What different does it make to you when you are able to live the present moment to the full?

Pray

Your creation, O God, runs its appointed course; as far as the ends of the earth you gather a people you call your own. Confirm us in the strength of your abiding word. Steady our hearts in the time of trial, so that on the day of the Son of Man, we may without fear rejoice to behold his appearing. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

References

You Are My Inheritance, O Lord!

SOCL, Sunday32B

Sunday November 10, 2024

A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins

See

Money can easily distort our attitudes and values. It is tempting to react more warmly to those who give more generously—we all do it. It is easy to overlook the motive behind giving and focus, not on the giver, but on the gift. We do have the expression that it’s the thought that counts. Usually, though, such proverbial wisdom is employed to help me/us be consoled when some expectation was not realised. Thus, this apparently consolatory thought acknowledges the tendency to the opposite, the attraction to the gift as such!! The Lord, however, reads our hearts.

Listen

1 Kings 17:10-16; Psalm 146 (145); Hebrews 9:24-28; Mark 12:38-44

Reflect

(Mark 12:38-44)

-The scribes are presented as ostentatious and devious, acting more out of self-interest than the love of God or people. There can be a element of selfinterest in each of us. Perhaps there have been times when you have been disturbed by glimpsing in yourself ‘other motives’ in your doing good. Recall when you were awakened to this fact. Where was the good news for you in these experiences?

-In material terms what the widow had to offer was very little. Recall when you felt yourself called to give and gave even though you apparently had very little. Perhaps you have had the experience of finding that what you thought was little and insignificant meant a great deal to another person. Recall some of those moments.

-The widow ‘gave everything she had, all she had to live on’. In doing so she placed herself in a very vulnerable position, trusting that things would work out. Have you ever found that what seemed a generous but reckless giving of yourself proved life-giving for yourself and others?

Pray

God, our provider you are the orphan’s hope and the widow’s bread. Strengthen our faith, that with simplicity of heart we may come to trust in you alone and hold back nothing in serving you. Amen.

References

Praise the Lord, My Soul! (Or Alleluia)