Reflection for the Solemnity of Christ the King

Do you know a good podiatrist?
My Achilles is bothering me.

“His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away, His kingship shall not be destroyed.”

We may recall the myth of Achilles from our school days.

The gods gave Achilles’ mother a choice as to how her son’s life should be: short but glorious or long but obscure. Fearing for her son’s safety, Achilles’ mother chose long but obscure. His mother also bargained with the gods for additional protection from harm. They told her to immerse Achilles in the waters of the Styx River, which would immunize him from all harm. His mother did this, holding onto Achilles by the ankle. Of course, this part of the boy did not receive the protection of the gods, and proved to be Achilles downfall. Achilles died after being shot in the ankle by Paris’ arrow during the battle of Troy.

From this mythology we derive the term Achilles heel. It is the weakness, the failings we all have. We certainly have many positive and wonderful qualities, certain skills and talents, those things (and there are many) that make us special. We also know that we have that Achilles heel, the particular sin, shortcoming, or weakness that might well prove to be our downfall.

For podiatrists, the Achilles tendon is the tendon of in the back of the leg that attaches the calf muscles to the heel bone. Injuries to this tendon can require long healing time and rehabilitation.

We set aside this Sunday to recognize and celebrate the kingship of Christ. What does Achilles have to do with the kingship of Jesus?

It is in this: That Jesus as Lord and King of all things, and most particularly of our hearts and souls, has the power to overcome our Achilles heels.

Our Achilles heels lead to injury, in ourselves and in others. We might not even recognize our Achilles heels! We may think we are relatively ok.

The reality is we all lay unprotected, vulnerable, injured, in need to healing and rehabilitation. When we recognize this we might try to fix it ourselves, but that is not possible. Rather we need to throw ourselves on the mercy of our King, relying on Him. With Him we have the grace to overcome as well as His healing.

Our King, Jesus Christ, is the absolute guarantor of protection, of healing, renewal, and eternal life. Our lives will not be long and uneventful with Him. Making Him the Lord, worshiping, adoring, relying on, and serving Him, fixes every weakness in us, and gives us unending life in His Kingdom.

Thankful for

Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. — 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

To all our members, parishioners, benefactors, friends, neighbors, brothers and sisters in Christ, and all who dwell with us in our land,

On behalf of our Parish Committee and myself, I pray that your Thanksgiving celebration is filled with great joy, togetherness, and time to reflect on the many blessings we share in. May your day and travels be safe.

We are so thankful for each of you, for your fellowship enriches each of us. Our mutual work for the kingdom becomes an occasion for rejoicing because of you. You are in our prayers of thanksgiving this day and every day.

As we reflect today, we recount these many blessings received, in material things, but most importantly in the gift of true fellowship and freedom found in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. All thanksgiving and praise be His.

— Deacon Jim

Bible Study for the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time
  • 11/18 – 1 Thessalonians 5:18 – Lord Jesus, whatever I face in my life, good or bad, grant me a spirit of thankfulness for all You do for me, and how You instruct me.
  • 11/19 – Philippians 2:13 – Holy Spirit, grant that I may recognize and give thanks for Your presence and work in my life. May my efforts, with the gift of Your grace, bear much fruit.
  • 11/20 – 1 Timothy 6:17 – Lord Jesus, grant that I may be thankful for Your gifts, and solely reliant on You. If I am provided much, grant that I may not place my faith and reliance on those gifts, but only on You.
  • 11/21 – Psalm 95:6 – Lord God, make me humble before You, worshipful toward You. I owe You my thanksgiving.
  • 11/22 – Psalm 100:1-5 – Lord God, grant that I may make a joyful noise to You. That I may worship You with gladness; come before You filled with song. Grant that I may know You as my Lord and God. May I be thankful before You, for I am Yours. May I ever praise and bless Your Holy Name with thanksgiving. I know Your goodness, Your steadfast love, Your faithfulness that is for all time.
  • 11/23 – Colossians 2:7 – Lord, continuously teach and instruct me in Your ways. Grant me the gift of understanding as well as thankfulness for Your word.
  • 11/24 – Luke 17:15-16 – Lord, I know that I am never a stranger or outsider with You. Grant me the grace to remember the way You accept me, praising and thanking You for Your wonderful gift of love.

Pray the week: Lord Jesus, grant that I may continually return to you in thanksgiving.

Reflection for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

We thank You Lord.
…and anticipate Your coming.

“‘And then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in the clouds’ with great power and glory, and then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds'”

It is the Sunday before Thanksgiving, and our readings focus on the end times, the second coming of Jesus. It can seem like a scary and even depressing subject when we want to focus on celebrating.

When we hear Jesus speak of these images of darkness, falling stars, and the heavens being shaken we are shaken. Daniel reminds us that these will be times of “surpassing distress.”

We grow a little frightened, what if Jesus were really to come tomorrow, or in the next hour, or minute? We certainly may consider ourselves unprepared.

Maybe we are prepared for Thanksgiving. The turkey is purchased, the potatoes, yams, vegetables, those special items unique to our family traditions are stored away. But are we prepared to meet Jesus when He returns?

As we approach Thanksgiving, let’s prepare ourselves; fill ourselves with a spirit of thankfulness. Let that thankfulness include a sense of praise and anticipation for Jesus’ coming.

Whatever the events that will precede the glorious appearance of Jesus with the angelic cohort, we should gladly celebrate Jesus’ promise and be thankful for it. We know that when He comes we will be ready to be drawn to His side.

We are the people Daniel speaks of because of our faith in Jesus. “The wise who shall shine brightly like the splendor of the firmament, those who lead the many to justice who shall be like the stars forever.”

Like the psalmist, we can declare that the Lord is our inheritance. What a wonderful thing to be thankful for, an inheritance with God forever in His kingdom.

As we pray this Thanksgiving let us set aside our concern over the events of the end times. Any fantastic theories and predictions about the end of the world and return of Christ are worthless. Instead, praise God and be thankful for the spirit of renewal, which prepares us for Jesus. Pray Maranatha – a word meaning, “Come, O Lord.” This prayer asks for the speedy and early return of Christ.

Build desire and thankfulness for the Second Coming. This is our preparation. To live in the hope that strengthens and fortifies us seeking always to live in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Bible Study for the 32nd Week in Ordinary Time
  • 11/11 – Romans 13:7 – Lord Jesus, on this day I honor those who have served. Grant them Your graces for all they offered for me and my country.
  • 11/12 – Luke 23:26 – Lord, Simon of Cyrene was drafted into service. Grant your protection and healing to all who respond generously when drafted to serve.
  • 11/13 – Deuteronomy 32:30-31 – Father, You watch over, protect, and defend those who are faithful to You. Grant me an increase in faithfulness to You and reliance on You as my defense.
  • 11/14 – Philippians 2:4 – Lord, I thank you for all who respond generously by setting aside their own interests for the good of others. Grant me that same spirit of service, dedication, and love.
  • 11/15 – 2 Timothy 2:3-4 – Lord, You have enlisted me as your soldier, to proclaim and live Your love. Grant me singular focus and dedication to Your mission.
  • 11/16 – 1 Samuel 12:14 – Lord, grant that the leaders of my country will fear and serve You, heed Your voice, and not rebel against Your commandment. Grant that they not become arrogant because of money or military power, thus leading us all to the good.
  • 11/17 – Joshua 6:2 – Lord, all victory is found in You. May I rely on Your strength over my own, Your power over mine, and Your path over my selfish ends. By doing so, may the enemies that beset me, especially sin, be destroyed.

Pray the week: Lord Jesus, grant that I honor all those who serve.

A Prayer for Veteran’s Day

We thank Thee, Lord, for America, our home. We bless Thee for the liberty, the opportunity, and the abundance we share. But above all we praise Thee for the traditions which have made our country great, and for the patriots who have laid the foundations through faith, courage, and self-sacrifice. Teach us in our own day the meaning of citizenship, and help us to be faithful stewards of the responsibility which Thou entrusted to us. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. — A Prayer for our Country from A Book of Devotions and Prayers According to the Use of the Polish National Catholic Church

Reflection for the 32nd Sunday of Ordinary Time

I’ve been drafted!
I will go and serve.

“‘Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.'”

The widow of Zarephath and the widow who contributed to the treasury both did incredible acts of charity. Both gave totally of themselves for the good of others. They gave all they had, not out of surplus. In their giving they placed their faith in the God who provides, God who the psalmist says:

…keeps faith forever, secures justice for the oppressed, gives food to the hungry, sets captives free, gives sight to the blind, raises up those who were bowed down, loves the just, protects strangers, who sustains the fatherless and the widow.

As we reflect today, on this Veterans Day we should recall that our veterans, our service men and women have done exactly the same. Even if wealthy, they decided to place their all on the line to serve – not just their country – but the cause of freedom for their brothers and sisters.

Whatever we do, we have the God given freedom to decide. When drafted, we might choose to go, just because of the law. When we are confronted with Jesus’ command to love and serve others, whether we are clergy or laity, we may follow His commandments just because we are afraid of God’s punishment. That may be sufficient – to follow the law, or to do because we are afraid of punishment, but our faith calls us to do these things out of a greater purpose.

That purpose is God’s call to love, to lean on Him who is our protector, advocate, strength, and teacher.

When we decide to ‘go and serve,’ to give our all, we fulfill the commandment of love – loving God by doing His will and loving our brothers and sisters to the point of sacrificing ourselves for them.

The widows did that. The widow chose to prepare bread and give water to Elijah even though she and her son would be left with almost nothing. The widow gave her last pennies to the treasury for charity.

Jesus had portrayed the religious leaders who feigned piety; accepted honor from people, and stole from widows as living without love, without even acting out of obligation to the law or fear of the Lord. They chose wrongly – and served themselves, not love.

Our call is to live like our veterans, in love and service toward others – and to do so out of love. Let us honor them for their right choice and choose rightly ourselves.

Bible Study for the 31st Week in Ordinary Time
  • 11/4 – Deuteronomy 6:5 – Father, our ability to love begins in relationship with You. Grant that I may recognize Your image in every person, and that I might love them as I love You.
  • 11/5 – Leviticus 19:18 – Father, grant that I may bear no grudge or ill will toward my neighbors. May my love and concern for each person exceed the love and concern I have for myself.
  • 11/6 – Micah 6:8 – Lord God, grant that I may follow Your way, doing justice and good to my neighbor out of love, and walking in humility before You.
  • 11/7 – Galatians 5:14 – Lord of love, grant that I may see in each neighbor their inherent humanity. May I defend and uphold their humanity in love before all.
  • 11/8 – Romans 13:10 – Lord, grant that when I use the word love I recognize its true meaning. May I never treat love as something cheap, but of the greatest value.
  • 11/9 – Matthew 5:17 – Lord, You taught us the true meaning of the law. It is not something that makes me righteous in its keeping, but rather in my living its underlying message of love toward You and others.
  • 11/10 – 1 John 4:17-18 – Lord, the rule of law brings me fear of prosecution for sin. Grant that I may always be found scrupulous, not in the observing of laws, but in living love toward You and all my brothers and sisters.

Pray the week: Lord Jesus, grant that I may live the commandment of love.

Reflection for the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time

First and 10
2 to go…

“One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him, ‘Which is the first of all the commandments?’”

It is Sunday – God first, but of course football.

Let’s think about football math. We all know that when our favorite team gets the ball they start their march down the field with a first and ten – first down and ten yards to go to get another first down. Going from first down to first down, the successful team works its way down the field until (if all goes well) thy score.

It can seem daunting, especially if you are starting at the far end of the field, with almost 100 yards to go against very strong opposition.

Now imagine if your team could get to that touchdown in two yards, in just two steps? It is first and ten, two to go.

Before the scribe came to Jesus the Pharisees, Sadducees, Herodians, chief priests, and elders had been hammering Jesus with questions. Jesus’ answers didn’t matter to them at all. All that mattered was their ends – trapping Jesus and shutting Him down.

Scribes were a class of experts in the Mosaic Law, all 613 laws. This scribe seems sincere in coming to Jesus. He wants to hear how Jesus interprets the 613 laws, and which one He finds to be the greatest one.

Jesus shows the scribe that love of God and love of our brothers and sisters are the two most important commandments. He tells him that these two key commandments are the two yards He needs to go.

These two commandments depend on each other. We are to give our whole hearts to God who is love, and love Him completely. By loving God, and experiencing His love, we learn to love better, stronger, more completely. Eventually we learn to love like God loves. We must take our learning and apply it. Our love for God and His love for us cannot exist in a vacuum. It has to grow, toward others, drawing them into this relationship of love.

Sometimes people separate these two commandments, saying one or the other is what we really need to do. Jesus responded to the question: Which is the first, with two commandments. Jesus indicates an order – one comes first. But He also teaches us that the two are inseparable. Our lives and our faith must be based on love: on a relationship of love to God, and on the sharing of God’s love with others. Having only one misses the touchdown.

Love breaks down all opposition. Our touchdown is heaven – and it only takes two steps to get there, two steps and one theme – love.