Housekeeping - Week 34 Year 2

For your easy reference, the following is a list of weeks and years with their corresponding date:

20 Nov 2016 - Christ the King Year C
21 Nov 2016 - Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
22 Nov 2016 - Tuesday of Week 34 Year 2
23 Nov 2016 - Wednesday of Week 34 Year 2
24 Nov 2016 - Thursday of Week 34 Year 2
25 Nov 2016 - Friday of Week 34 Year 2

Christ the King Year B

Many of us seem to be quite caught up with attaining various types of qualifications these days. When we have completed a course or studies, we expect to receive a diploma, degree or some form of paper stating the kind of qualification we have achieved. Such paper is called a certificate, and some of us may even frame it and place it on the wall, either in some prominent place in our home, or at our office, to show others how qualified or learned we are. When we go to the hospital for a checkup, some of us may also receive a certificate of fitness, to show that we are healthy. Such a certificate of fitness is sometimes required when we apply for a job, or when we apply to go for studies in a college or university or some other institution of learning. But all these certifications here are only temporary and useful while we are on earth.

As we know, the ways of God are not the same as the ways of the world. When it comes to being a king, God's idea of being King is quite different from the worldly idea of being king, as Jesus tells us: "Mine is not a kingdom of this world; if my kingdom were of this world, my men would have fought to prevent my being surrendered to the Jews. But my kingdom is not of this kind." Jesus also adds: "Yes, I am a king. I was born for this, I came into the world for this: to bear witness to the truth; and all who are on the side of truth listen to my voice." So, just as God's understanding of being King is quite different from worldly understanding of being king, God's understanding of what is required to gain some sort of "certification" with Him, is quite different from the worldly understanding of certification. Of course, God's certification does not come in the form paper, rather it involves certain attitudes, behaviour, way of life, in other words, things that really matter to God, so to speak.

So what things could really matter to God? What really matters would be whether we have been faithful to God, faithful to being Jesus' disciples and faithful to Jesus' teachings; whether we have been focused in being of service like Jesus the servant King, by serving others without expecting anything in return, instead of being like an earthly king who lords it over others; and perhaps by allowing change and conversion to take place in our lives. Thus, instead of being so concerned with worldly qualifications which many do, we should change our focus towards eternal qualifications which would bring greater and longer lasting benefits to us.

Thus, let us let Jesus be our King and our guide, since as the second reading tells us: "Jesus Christ is the faithful witness, the First-Born from the dead, the Ruler of the kings of the earth. He loves us and has washed away our sins with his blood, and made us a line of kings, priests to serve God and Father; to him, then, be glory and power for ever and ever." May we follow His ways and concentrate on what really matters to God, on His "certifications," for our eternal future and happiness.

Christ the King Year A

What sort of lives have we been living thoughout this year? Have we been living only for ourselves and perhaps for our immediate family members? Or have we been living a life of compassion and love towards our neighbour, especially the poor, the destitude, the needy, etc.? Do we know who is our neighbour? When the Son of Man comes in his glory as mentioned in today's Gospel, would we be among those to whom He says: "I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you made me welcome; naked and you clothed me, sick and you visited me, in prison and you came to see me."?

Our faith cannot be kept under wraps or only for ourselves. Our faith should lead to good works, so that all may see and give praise to God. Jesus is our King, but He is not the sort of king who only cares for himself and for his inner circle, He cares for each and every one of us. He has shown us the kind of faith that we ought to live and we are encouraged to follow His example. We hope that one day, we would hear Him say to us: “I tell you solemnly, in so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me.”

As we come to the end of this liturgical or church year, let us reflect on how we have been and the kind of life we have lived. Let us also strive to give our all to Jesus, and let Him be our help and guide, so that He, our God may be all in all.

Christ the King Year C

For most of us, a king or queen is someone who has power and prestige, lives in big castles or mansions, rules over all and probably lords it over all, whose interest is more towards preserving one's dynasty. Few of us actually have an opportunity to meet him or her in person and even if we do get a chance, we would probably need to go through some sort of elaborate protocol. Our earthly royalty is usually way beyond our league and way beyond our reach, and most of us would probably never have a chance to dine with or even be granted an audience with him or her.

In contrast, we have a divine royalty who is available and accessible to us. He was born in a stable. From humble beginnings, he reached out to all and taught us in many ways how to live and love God and neighbour. He ate and drank with us, as we can read in many parts of the Gospels. He even, as the Second Reading tells us, "made peace by His death on the cross." Even on the cross, while he suffered tremendously, he said to the repentant thief: "‘Indeed, I promise you,’ he replied ‘today you will be with me in paradise.’" This king, who is King of kings, is Jesus Christ. Today, we have plenty of opportunities to be in His presence in front of the Blessed Sacrament and also during daily and weekend Masses. Are we seizing the opportunity to build and grow in relationship with Jesus our loving King? Are we making more effort to dine with Him daily?

Today, let us pledge our allegiance to Jesus our Eternal King, for he loves us and wants all of us to be with him in paradise. Let us not procrastinate any longer, but do something now for the good of our souls.