The Rambler

  FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT [C] During Advent we find ourselves looking backwards and also forward. We are looking backwards when we recall the period of waiting that would precede the first Coming of Christ. We know that Jeremiah and his fellow prophets were occupying center stage during this time of anticipation. In fact, we are hearing from Jeremiah as we open up this brand new season of Advent (Jer. 33:14-16). And yet, our Gospel passage reminds us that we need to be prepared for the eventual Second Coming of Jesus (see Luke 21:25-36). This means looking in a forward direction. He comes the first time as the Child of Promise; he will be coming again as Judge of the Living and the Dead.  What will it be like, when he comes the second time? What will he see? Will he see us busy, hard at work? Or will we be standing idle, dedicating ourselves to leisure? This question is definitely being explored in Luke chapter twenty one. In addition, we hear the question being reissued as we ...

  SERMON FOR THANKSGIVING DAY On the fourth Thursday in November we pause as a nation, so that we can give thanks. Governor William Bradford of Plymouth Colony initiated the practice back in 1621. President Lincoln reaffirmed the sentiment in 1863. And finally, in 1941 an act of congress designated the observance as a national holiday. Therefore, it can be understood as our civic duty; you are being a responsible citizen when you set aside that particular Thursday for the sake of giving thanks.  In order to be a responsible Catholic, you will need to pick up the pace. You will need to give thanks on a more frequent basis. After all, the word “Eucharist” (deriving from the Greek) can be translated as THANKSGIVING. This means that every trip to church can be considered an act of thanksgiving. You give thanks first of all for the gift of salvation. Next, you give thanks for the Heavenly outreach that comes to you through the consecrated Bread and Wine. Third, you give thanks for ...

  FEAST OF CHRIST THE KING [B] We’re celebrating Christ as King, this weekend. In addition, it can be said that we are also celebrating ourselves . That is, we’re celebrating the place that we have secured within his Kingdom. How does one go about securing a place within the Kingdom? It seems that our Gospel reading spells it out rather clearly: you secure your place by being committed to the truth (see John 18:37). The truth matters. It matters to me. It matters to you. Jesus has been revealed as the Truth Incarnate (see John 14:6). A commitment to truth translates into a commitment to Jesus and his Kingdom. His dominion can be described as everlasting (Dan. 7:14), owing to the fact it is true. It’s a true dominion; not something fictional. You accept his authority within your life because it is true. It is a true authority; not something artificial. You acknowledge him as the Alpha and the Omega, again, because he is truly your beginning and your end (Rev. 1:8). He doesn’t limi...

  33RD SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME [B] For the most part, we are looking ahead. Our prophecy from Daniel pertains to the end of the age, a time when apocalyptic events will be taking place (Dan. 12:1-3). We hear Jesus echoing this theme as the disciples gather around him at the Mount of Olives (Mark 13:24-32). And yet, even as these readings direct us to the future, we will find that our second reading creates the opposite effect by taking us backwards in time. We get to relive a period when sacrifices were being offered within the Jerusalem temple—offered on a recurring basis (see Hebrews 10:11-18). This was how you would make atonement for your sins. You would arrange for the necessary sacrifice, you would give thanks, and then you would go on your way.  However, you don’t want to wander too far away. Eventually you will have to prepare for your return trip. The merit contained within the previous sacrifice will only carry you so far. It has an estimated shelf-life. It benefits...

  32ND SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME [B] Another Halloween has come and gone. Once again, the Great Pumpkin has failed to appear. If the Great Pumpkin ever does appear, what will he find? He will find a faithful disciple named Linus, keeping vigil in the pumpkin patch. The others will be out trick-or-treating, consumed with the pursuit of candy, dressing up in costumes, pretending to be somebody they are not. They can’t be bothered with waiting or keeping vigil. Linus, meanwhile, sends a clear message: I certainly can be bothered! Here I am, awaiting the Great Pumpkin! I’m displaying a welcome sign that I have made myself! I’m willing to endure ridicule! I’m willing to endure the cold nighttime temperatures! I’m willing to abstain from candy!  This is what the Great Pumpkin will find. If there is nobody else awaiting his arrival, he at least will be able to count on Linus. Now we need to consider the question of Jesus. He has come once, as a little child in Bethlehem. According to s...

  31ST SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME [B] If you’re in the presence of a celebrity, the natural impulse would be to ask for an autograph. The celebrity may or may not oblige. Those who do sign usually do so by rushing through the process, scribbling something that’s barely legible—or not legible at all. That’s how it is with celebrities, at least for the most part. And yet, surprisingly enough, that’s NOT how it was for Arnold Palmer. When called upon to sign his autograph, the golfing legend refused to rush through the process. He would provide each fan with a quality autograph—an autograph that reflected care, concern, and precision. From a public standpoint, Arnold Palmer represented a breath of fresh air: here’s somebody who puts more into it.  Of course, it’s not just about satisfying the fans. Yes, we want the fans to be satisfied. Even moreso, however, we want our God to be satisfied. He’s not looking for an autograph. Rather, he’s looking for a measure of love on our part. H...

  SERMON FOR ALL SAINTS DAY  When you attend Mass, look around at the others who are gathered. They represent what could be called the “visible” church. You worship alongside of them. You might even ask one of them to pray for you as you deal with a particular problem or crisis. You’re thankful for the people who belong to the Visible Church. And, in likewise fashion, you’re thankful for those who constitute the “Invisible Church.”  Because you pay attention at Mass, you know that the one stream of worship is being blended with another stream of worship. The worship being produced by the Visible Church combines itself with a continual flow of worship that is being produced by the Invisible Church. It’s a team effort.  So, who are the members of this Invisible Church? These are the faithful members who have gone before us. We don’t think of them as gone; rather, they have “gone ahead.”  They worship before God’s Heavenly throne. In life, they experienced the Lord...