Christ the King Solemnity (Thirty-Fourth and Last Sunday in Ordinary Time)

Also Read: Mass Readings for 26 November 2023 Homily for 26 November 2023 – Sunday

First Reading: Ezekiel 34: 11-12, 15-17

Hear the drum rolls!

I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, but the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them with justice. (16)

The King who seeks his lost, strayed, and injured ones; gathers them, binds and heals them, and strengthens them! What an amazing King God we have! Let him not find us fat and strong or hard-hearted and stubborn.

As it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” (Heb. 3:15) The Lord is our shepherd and he makes us lie down in green pastures!

Amen! Thank You, Lord God!

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 23: 1-3, 5, 6

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; (1-2)

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long. (6)

Alleluia, Amen!

Second Reading: First Corinthians 15: 20-26, 28

Thy Kingdom Come!

Then comes the end, when Christ Jesus hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed every ruler and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. (23-26)

On the Feast of Christ the King, the church reminds us that Jesus Christ still reigns! Until he “has put all his enemies under his feet”; Jesus Christ still reigns! We await his second coming when he will hand over the world to God the Father! Amen. Christ has already destroyed death; hence we are in the waiting period before his final arrival! On his second coming, he will save those who belong to him. How do we know that we belong to Christ? If we have been baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, we belong to him!

But during this waiting period are we exchanging our birthright for the ‘red stuff’ of this world, like Esau? (Gen 25: 29 – 34) For us, the ‘red stuff’ could be our properties, wealth, physical looks, pride, greed, etc.  Are we being dulled and lulled into a stupor of worldliness and losing our way back to Christ? Are we faithful in the little talent that we may possess and produce kingdom-worthy fruit? Do we take pains to nurture our God-given talents, so that we could serve his church and his people here on earth? How prepared are we for him?

Let us introspect and prepare well for his second coming. Amen, Alleluia!

Gospel: Matthew 25: 31-46

Kingdom Life on Earth!

Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ (34 – 36)

 And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’ (40)

While it is imperative to physically feed the hungry etc it is equally imperative to nourish the souls hungry for spiritual, emotional, and psychological food! Physical needs are easily spotted but not so the spiritual, emotional, or psychological ones! Being kind when we have the choice of being critical, being understanding instead of arguing, being humble instead of proud; can truly clothe a naked heart yearning for a warm hug! Forgiving someone instead of accusing them of petty things can surely set them free from prisons of fear and self-doubt.

As we go about trying to fulfill these commands of our Lord, we must also remember that he told us how we are to perform these duties! “But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Mt. 6:3-4) The moment we publicize our ‘charity’ we lose its value because then we do it for personal gain. If anyone has a truly generous heart, they have been blessed by God our Father!

Let us strive to be worthy sheep of the Lord Jesus Christ Our King! Amen, Amen, Amen!

Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Also Read: Mass Readings for 19 November 2023 Homily for 19 November 2023 – Sunday

First Reading: Proverbs 31: 10-13, 19-20, 30-31

Living in Wisdom!

Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her share in the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the city gates. (30-31)

This reading teaches everyone not only women how to conduct themselves. Living in wisdom is to work and earn the daily bread, to be kind, to be generous to those in need, and above all to have the fear of the Lord! Then the work of our hands will be blessed.

In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 128: 1-5

Happy is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways. You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be happy, and it shall go well with you. (1-2)

Help us O Lord to truly fear you and walk in your ways always! Amen!

Second Reading: First Thessalonians 5: 1-6

Living in Discipline!

But you, beloved, are not in darkness, for that day to surprise you like a thief; for you are all children of light and children of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness. (5-6)

We must not let ourselves be fooled into complacency. We have been forewarned by the Lord Jesus Christ and by the apostles through the Gospels and the Letters. Let us be of sober mind. “Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour.” (1Peter 5: 7-8)

The Bible defines “sober” as having a disciplined, controlled, and sound mind! This involves having a command over our emotions too. This could be a bastion we might have left unguarded! Therefore let us regain our power in all aspects of our lives, through Jesus Christ. Amen!

Gospel: Matthew 25: 14-30

Exercising Wisdom and Faith!

For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. (29)

As in last Sunday’s gospel, we remember the wise and foolish virgins here too! We are to work out of the resources we have at our disposal daily! We will be able to discern through wisdom how we must fulfill this command! If we are able to exercise from a mustard seed faith, we will realize that our efforts will surely be blessed! Yet again, we must approach any task in humility before God. We can act on our faith only through wisdom from God!

Let us humbly ask the Good Lord God our Father to grant us the wisdom to exercise our faith! “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but power, love, and self-discipline.” (I Tim 2:7) Once we work in our faith, we will actualize the blessing of an abundance in our faith and wisdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Also Read: Mass Readings for 12 November 2023 Homily for 12 November 2023 – Sunday

First Reading: Wisdom 6: 12-16

Beauty Described!

Wisdom is radiant and unfading, and she is easily discerned by those who love her, and is found by those who seek her. (12)

God is love, mercy, and wisdom! If we desire wisdom, we must seek God first! “But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Mt. 6:33)

The reading here also states that Wisdom is found by “those who rise early to seek her”. (v.14)  We are to make a sincere effort in searching for her, by organizing and placing ourselves in a position of receiving her. We are further advised to fix our thoughts on her and be vigilant so that we may hear her counsel and “be free from care.”  (v.15)

“She graciously appears to them in their paths, and meets them in every thought.” (v. 16)

We must be conscious that God the Holy Spirit speaks to us in our thoughts, right from the moment we awaken through the day until we rest for the night. It is important to be sensitive to his voice – the voice of wisdom. Every time we bend our wills to his soft leads, we will realize how near Wisdom is to us!

In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 63: 2-8

The Feast of Life!

My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast, and my mouth praises you with joyful lips when I think of you on my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; (5-6)

Mighty kings and warriors have been known to diligently seek after God and his wisdom. Those who have joyfully and willingly worshipped the Lord have been blessed in abundance always.

Alleluia, Amen, Alleluia!

Second Reading: First Thessalonians 4: 13-18

Hope Lived!

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. (13)

During this month especially, when we remember our near and dear departed family members and pray for all the souls in purgatory; this verse comes as a soothing message. Through Christ Jesus who died and rose from the dead, we have the promise of eternal life and the hope of meeting our loved ones in the next life. Therefore, we must not be overwhelmed with grief and sorrow at this departing but we are filled with hope of a new life in Christ Jesus forever. We surely must grieve and express our sorrow in losing our loved ones, while here on earth. But we cannot remain lost in despair of missing them forever. Also, when we depart from here we too remain in the hope of meeting our loved ones left behind.

Hence we look forward to life here on earth in wisdom, hope, and joy. In Jesus Christ, Amen!

Gospel: Matthew 25: 1-13

Recess to Repent and Rebuild Faith!

Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. (13)

The Kingdom of Heaven will be exactly as it is written here, spoken by God! We are in the period where “the bridegroom was delayed”. (v.5) Have we become “drowsy and (have) slept.”?! Where can we fill our flasks of faith and hope? This time gap we have been blessed with is our one opportunity! Is our flask of faith enough to tide over looming darkness? Our Lord awaits us, in the priests at the confessionals! Our Lord awaits us in the Blessed Sacrament and the Holy Eucharist, where our lamps can be washed and refilled with an overflowing oil of faith. Let us trim our lamps first and not be bogged down or distracted by “the foolish bridesmaids” around! Let us listen to the shout of wisdom as she calls out at this midnight hour! Let us be brave in following what she tells us to do!

Let us return to our churches, to our confessionals, to the Holy Eucharist, to the Blessed Sacrament, and the Holy Bible, the word of God! Let us return with repentant and contrite hearts to our Lord. For he may yet let us in!

In Jesus’ mighty and matchless name, Alleluia, Amen, Amen, Amen!

Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time

Also Read: Mass Readings for 05 November 2023 Homily for 05 November 2023 – Sunday

First Reading: Malachi 1: 14b – 2: 2b, 8-10

Keep your Promises!

Cursed be the cheat who has a male in the flock and vows to give it, and yet sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished; for I am a great King, says the Lord of hosts, and my name is reverenced among the nations. (14)

These are words of warning by the prophet Malachi. We may make promises to God about various things. We may, for example, decide to spend a few minutes each day reading the word of God, but then easily slack off and not follow through on our promise. But if we do keep our promise to ourselves first, we will realize the benefit of striving to remain self-disciplined. We must ask the good Lord to help us remain disciplined. The word of God reminds us first and foremost how precious we are. Bearing that image in mind we will be able to withstand the wiles of the devil. We are renewed in mind when we continuously reflect on the word of God. We receive joy unexplainable and there is a calm confidence that reigns in our spirits. Therefore we must keep our promises!

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 131: 1, 2, 3

Song of Quiet Trust!

O Lord, my heart is not lifted up, my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; my soul is like the weaned child that is with me. O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time on and forevermore. (1-3)

Alleluia, Amen.

Second Reading: First Thessalonians 2: 7b-9, 13

We also constantly give thanks to God for this, that when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word but as what it really is, God’s word, which is also at work in you believers. (13)

Praise God! If we are able to receive the Word of God as what it really is, we are truly blessed. Only God permits us the revelation and wisdom to grasp the word of God. Based on just our intelligence we will never be able to comprehend even a single word being proclaimed to us.

We praise and thank the Lord God our Father for his mercy on us. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Gospel: Matthew 23: 1-12

Therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach. (3)

All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted. (12)

Do we preach a hypocrite’s sermon? Are we able to walk the talk? Only when we practice what we preach, can we venture to preach to anyone. Christ Jesus abhors pride. It is through pride that we cheat too! We cheat so that our flaws may not be known! But we are human and we must accept ourselves as we are flaws and all! We can ask the Lord Jesus Christ to show us the way. In asking the Lord, we show our humility too! Unless we walk in humility before God and our brethren, we will keep falling astray! The Lord allows the stubborn of the heart to remain hard-hearted! “But my people did not listen to my voice; Israel would not submit to me. So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts, to follow their own counsels.” (Ps.81:11-12)

Human beings have free will to choose Life or Death at every moment! God loves us so dearly that he lets us have the opportunity to accept or reject him! He doesn’t enforce himself upon us!

We praise and thank God for his great mercy, in Jesus’ name Amen!