Sunday reflections

When we hear the words, ‘a voice cries in the wilderness: Prepare a way for the Lord …’, what do we hear? A young man wondered whether he was being called to be a priest. But when have we heard a call to prepare a way for the Lord?

“Stay awake!” It’s not exactly the most comforting advice for people who might already be tired at the end of a long year – especially as we join the throngs flocking to shops for the usual Christmas spend-up. Yet that’s the cry that greets us on this first Sunday of Advent. The season opens not with tinsel and cheer, but with Jesus telling his disciples to be alert, watchful, and ready for something new.

We come to the last Sunday of this liturgical year, and our year-long celebration of all the wonders that God has done for us culminates in the feast of Christ the King. Crowning the liturgical year, we profess and rejoice that Christ is King of the Universe, Lord of all creation, and that he is Lord of our lives, individually and communally.

This week’s readings are referred to as apocalyptic. While ‘Hollywood’ and video games portray apocalyptic through images of widespread destruction, catastrophic events or zombie attacks, the original meaning refers to uncovering or unveiling to impart wisdom, meaning, and hope to people.

The celebration of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica (the official cathedral of the Diocese of Rome) one thousand seven hundred and one years ago in 324AD) is an occasion to reflect on the architectural symbolism of a church.

On All Soul’s Day the Church invites each of us to remember and pray for the souls of our dear ones who have gone before us and for those who have no one to remember them.

As church-people, we may think we know what it means to worship God. After all, we go to church, say some prayers, pay our dues, and try to live a decent life. Indeed, all this is well and good. But God asks something more of us. Do we think the good things we do in life arise from our own virtue? Do we find ourselves somewhat judgmental and intolerant of those who don’t quite live up to our standards?arked: “Those who travel the high road of humility in Washington DC are not bothered by heavy traffic!”

The determined widow in this week’s parable encourages us to persist in prayer. She was not
deterred by the judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. Instead, she
demonstrates what St Therese of Liseux described as a “surge of the heart”: a trust and
confidence in God who knows what we need and who draws close to us.

How often have you encouraged your young children to say ‘thank you’ after they are given something? Saying ‘thank you’ is a common courtesy that is used almost without thinking. Yet it’s much more than a courtesy.

On December 5, 2018, at the memorial service for US President George H W Bush, long time friend and former Republican Senator for Wyoming, Alan Simpson, remarked: “Those who travel the high road of humility in Washington DC are not bothered by heavy traffic!”