Wednesday, October 30, 2019
The End of the Liturgical Year is In Sight with Pastor Carlos
The End of
the Liturgical Year is In Sight
The end of the liturgical
year is only three Sundays away. On November 24th, we will celebrate the
Solemnity of Christ the King, marking the end of the current liturgical year
(C), which began in Advent 2018. On Sunday, December 1st, we will begin a new
liturgical year (A), with a new season of Advent.
Every year, as we approach
the end of the liturgical year, the readings direct us to reflect on the
passing nature of this world, and to reflect on the end times. This turn will
occur next Sunday, when there will be a sharp turn in the themes of the
readings to focus on the resurrection of the body, and a week later, on the end
of the universe as we know it.
The past three Sundays,
the readings centered on the spiritual themes of gratitude (October 13th),
perseverance in prayer (October 20th), and humility (October 27th). We heard
about the grateful Samaritan who returned to thank Jesus, the widow who
persevered in pestering the judge, and tax collector who in contrast to the
proud Pharisee, prayed with humility.
A grateful heart is a
heart aware of the opportunities that every moment presents us to be aware of
God’s love. Being aware of having been chosen by God, allows us to persevere in
prayer, knowing that often times we walk by faith, not by sight. This awareness
of the gift of faith roots us in humility: God loves us not because we’re
special, but because God is wonderfully merciful and kind to us.
Today, the Gospel presents
us with the wonderful mercy and kindness of God in Jesus as he visits someone
who had committed extortion, and whom after experiencing the mercy of Christ,
has a change of heart, repenting of his sins, and making reparation for them.
May we, like Zaccheus, also continue to turn our hearts to Christ.
God bless, Fr. Carlos, OSA
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