Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. In a special way, we recognize our role as subjects who have the honor and privilege of helping to bring about the Kingdom of Christ here on earth. Jesus spoke of His Kingdom often. Sometimes He spoke of it directly: “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel” (Mk 1:15).…
“I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!” (Lk 12:49). Jesus longs to see each one of us on fire with love for God and for each other. He doesn’t want to see just a little flicker of love. No, he wants to see our hearts blazing—full of warmth, energy, and light. Fire is usually destructive. It burns away almost everything in its path, leaving behind…
“Now you are Christ’s body, and individually parts of it” (1 Cor 12:27). Each part of our bodies has a specific purpose, a role to play in the success of the whole. In our second reading, St. Paul describes the importance of each part of the body. We need our eyes to see, our hands to work, our legs and feet to get us around, and so on. Because we are each a part of…
In the early weeks of the new Church year, our readings reflect on Jesus’ identity, which is entwined with His mission. Remember that Mary was to “name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins” (Matt 1:21). The Epiphany of the Lord (last week), the Baptism of the Lord (this week), and the miracle at Cana (next week) each reveal Jesus’ identity and mission in a different way. At the Epiphany, the…