Weekly Bulletin - November 2007
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- 04 - Thirty-first Sunday of Ordinary Time
- 11 - Thirty-second Sunday of Ordinary Time
- 18 - Thirty-third Sunday of Ordinary Time
- 25 - Christ the King
GOD IS WITH US
The Book of Wisdom tells us that the spirit of God is in all things. What a wonderful thought, and what a wonderful image to keep in front of us as we travel down life’s road. For if the path is revealed in the treading, it’s good to know that God is with us—and all around us—every step of the way.
But Paul knows that this divine presence is not timid. Instead, God calls out to us, and Paul prays that we, along with the Thessalonians, might be made worthy of that call. And who knows more about God’s call than Zacchaeus, the tax collector? Jesus called him out of a tree, for goodness’ sake. Or perhaps more correctly, as we reflect upon the end of today’s Gospel reading, for heaven’s sake. © Copyright, J. S. Paluch Co.
LIFE EVERLASTING
The second book of Maccabees tells a powerful story, and a rather gruesome one at that. But central to it, beyond the horrible deaths inflicted upon the brothers and their mother, is their belief in the promise of resurrection and life everlasting in God.
Paul asks the Thessalonians to pray for him as he spreads Christ’s message of love, so that he might be delivered from other nonbelievers anxious to do him harm. The apostle is confident in such prayer, just as he is confident in the everlasting support of Jesus and God the Father.
And there’s that “everlasting” word again. The Sadducees, not buying the idea, ask Jesus an interesting—albeit meaningless—question about the status of married life at the Resurrection. He tells the non-believers that marriage isn’t an issue for the risen children of God. More importantly, he assures them that their ancestors do live on in God, even as evidenced by the Father’s words to Moses. © Copyright, J. S. Paluch Co.
GOD’S HEALING JUSTICE
An old expression holds that the sun-warmed stone heals. Perhaps. But Malachi explains that only dark, sunless days are in store for those who do not find a place for God in their lives. Conversely, he tells us that the warmth and light of God’s healing justice await those who fear the Lord. That’s a pretty comforting notion—especially now in th already short and growing even shorter days of November. It’s the sun-warmed stone, and then some.
Paul speaks to us of justice as well, but points out that it is not a passive thing. To be treated justly, we need to do our fair share. If we are diligent and persevere we will be rewarded with and by the fruits of our labor. Lastly, Luke, too, tells us to persevere—in faith, this time—and our lives will be secure in God regardless of how we are treated by our enemies. © Copyright, J. S. Paluch Co.
The book of Samuel recounts for us today the anointing of David as king of Israel. It was the elders of Israel who declared David king that day, but it was God who called David to shepherd Israel. Thus mandated by the citizens of his kingdom and by his God, David took his place in a long line of kings. The apostle Paul speaks to us of kingship as well, but on a much higher plane: the kingship of Jesus our Lord. As great as David was, he and all earthly monarchs who came before and after him in their kingdoms around the world are minor kings by comparison to the true King. And lastly, we hear the story of that true King in perhaps his weakest moment: near death, hanging on a cross, taunted by a common criminal and by the world at large. © Copyright, J. S. Paluch Co.
