With all the pain and fear that comes with death, lies a powerful gift. It helps us cut through the clutter of the superfluous and focus on the superb in our lives. We get to the heart of what really matters. When we finally humble ourselves with the knowledge that we all soon will one day die, ironically, is when we truly start to live. 

As the season of Advent begins, we Christians start to get ready. We take a hard, honest look at ourselves and ask, "Are we ready to meet Jesus?" He tells us bluntly in today's Gospel reading: "you also must be prepared,

The crucifixion of Jesus Christ epitomizes the vulnerability of God. We see firsthand, the King of the Universe, "the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible..." die the agonizing death of a criminal slave (Colossians 1:15-16). With all his power and might, he empties himself for the sake of love, showing brutal humanity a better way.

"All genuine love is a victory of weakness. Loving is not dominating or possessing, imposing one self on the person loved. Loving means that one welcomes the other person without putting up any defenses. In return, one is certain of being welcomed totally by that person, without being judged, condemned, or compared. There are no more trials of strength between two people who love each other."  -From an unknown Carthusian monk

One of the great blessings of living in the United States is our ability to practice our faith in peace. Not so in many parts of the world. According to the Pew Research Center, Christianity is the most persecuted religion on the planet. When we hear the words of Jesus in today's Gospel reading, we should not be surprised: "they will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name... You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives." Before the final end of the world, we must endure much suffering first. That is why Christianity when lived well, will never be for the faint of heart.

Jesus couldn't be more clear: we're all locked in spiritual warfare. He tells us bluntly in Luke 22:31, "Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail..." The name "devil" itself, is derived from the Greek work diabolos, meaning "to throw apart, to scatter." Our true enemy seeks to divide our churches, our families, our relationships, and most especially, to keep us away from God himself.

Marriage, on the other hand, is brilliantly revealed as the antithesis to the devils plan. Husband and wife are called to witness to Jesus' own unifying love for his body, the Church (See Ephesians 5). That is why in this Sunday's Gospel, Christ baffles the Sadducees and teaches that marriage is no longer needed in Heaven. The perfect union that marriage is meant to point to has been realized. God and humanity has been reconciled. Our holy communion is finally complete. 

This week, I break down an amazing email that I recieved a few weeks ago. As any preacher will tell you, we can easily fall into the devil's trap of thinking that no one is listening. All our effort and prayer is wasted. We might as well be shouting into the darkness. Yet from time to time, God reminds us that he can still pierce hearts, through us, his broken and sinful messengers. We need only to humble ourselves like the chief tax collector Zacchaeus from the Gospel reading (Luke 19:1-10)

As hard as I try, I will fail you as your priest. My legion of faults and vices will always get in the way for those I am called to serve. Yet amazingly, the freeing truth is that we are not alone in this battle. God has given us brothers and sisters who have won the fight, finished the race, and kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7). This "great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb," too many to even number, now pray for us here on earth (Revelations 7:9). For my failings, I humbly apologize and beg for your mercy. Praise God, it does not depend entirely on us.

If we want better lives, happier families, a vibrant parish, and an intense relationship with Jesus Christ, there’s one thing we can do now that will make all the difference in the world: KILL THE PRIDE. Squash it. Strangle it. Punch it in the face. Our pride is the greatest obstacle in our relationships with one another and especially with the almighty God himself. Pride tells us we are self-sufficient and amazing. It’s all about me and my magnificent needs. Kill it. Kill it now.

Emotions are fickle. Superficial beauty fades away. And yet, the powerful truth remains. 

When we grow in trust, the crosses of life can become bearable and maybe even beautiful.