Father Matthew Wiering Podcast

The Solemnity of Christ the King presents us with an interesting juxtaposition between our own experience of worldly power and authority (as demonstrated by our political leaders) and Christ's power and authority. Our Gospel brings us to the Cross, the throne of Jesus. From that place of selflessness and humility, Christ shows us what makes him victorious: obedient love. This service is at the heart of what truly makes one great -- the feature of the True King of the Universe.

In today's Gospel, some people are standing near Jesus admiring the beauty of the Temple in Jerusalem, and Jesus says to them, "All that you see here ... a stone will not be left upon another stone..." On a literal level, Jesus was predicting the destruction of the Temple, which happened in 70 AD at the hands of the Romans. But on a symbolic level, he is also talking about what will happen to you and to me: Of us, too, Jesus can say, "All that you see here ... a stone will not be left upon another stone..." Accepting this truth, how does this change how will we live? Will we live this life in preparation for the next?

Today's 1st reading from 2nd Maccabees recounts the story of the heroic seven brothers and their mother who choose to sacrifice their lives rather than to eat pork. Perhaps astonishingly to us, the mother is the one who is encouraging her sons to offer their lives rather than offend God. How is it that the sons are able to give their lives in this way? How was the mother able to encourage all seven of her sons to be martyrs? Their attitude towards death showed their confidence in the resurrection: That this life is not the final destination but rather means for us to attain eternal life. Do we approach death in the same way?

To be a saint, literally means to be "holy". Perfect holiness will come someday in heaven, but even now the Church, through the teaching of the Second Vatican Council, tells us that everyone -- priests, religious sisters, and lay people alike -- are called to holiness. So what is "holiness" actually and is it even possible for us in this life?

St. Luke introduces the story of Zacchaeus by telling us that Jesus intended to pass through Jericho. But he doesn't pass through. He sees Zacchaeus and stops in his tracks. Jesus's heart goes out to this one "who was lost", and he changes his plans: Instead of passing through Jericho is dines and stays at the home of the repentant chief tax collector. Are we so flexible when God is asks us to change course? When God's will is different than my will, do I give immediate and cheerful assent? Am I willing to allow my plans to change in order to reach out to someone in love? Will I become more like Jesus?

Today St. Paul tells us that his life is poured out like a libation. He has reached the end of his life, and now the race is coming to an end. Another saint whose memorial we celebrated this weekend also ran the race all the way to the end, St. John Paul II. He allowed the world to accompany him as his physical health and appearance declined. May we run the race all the way to the end as these saints have!

The Gospel writer Luke introduces today's Gospel by telling us that in it Jesus is communicating the necessity of "praying always". This is illustrated in dramatic fashion in the first reading when Moses's servants prop his arms up so that he can be "always praying" and the Israelites will win the battle. What does it mean for you and me to "pray always"?

Today's first reading features the story of Naaman the Aramean from the 2nd Book of Kings. Rereading this story from the 5th chapter of 2 Kings is well worth the time, as the story is highly symbolic and contains many nuggets of truth. Do we recognize that we are sick (physically or psychologically or morally or spiritually) and cannot help ourselves? Do we have the humility to seek the help that we cannot achieve for ourselves? Do we have the humility to seek Christ's healing in the Sacraments of His Church?

Today Jesus tells his disciples that if they have faith "the size of a mustard seed" they could perform miracles, even of commanding a mulberry tree to be uprooted and planted in the sea! In the lives of the saints we see many examples of miracles performed through confident prayer to God -- miracles in the natural world but also the much more important miracles of conversion in the hearts of men. Today we explore what happens when God answers our prayers ... and what happens when he does not ...

Today's Gospel of the Rich Man and Lazarus is a culmination point in a theme that Luke has been developing throughout the Gospel. We finally see the consequences of everything Jesus has been warning us about. Instead of using his money prudentially (by assisting the poor man in his need), the rich man squanders it (by keeping it to himself). Instead of being welcomed by Lazarus into eternal dwellings he find himself in torment. Lazarus, conversely, is welcomed into the bosom of Abraham. Such will be our destiny too if we do not use our "dishonest wealth" wisely by giving it to the poor.