November 20, 2011

Readings for The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ The King: 1 Ez 34:11-12,15-17; 1 Cor 15:20-26,28; Mt 25:31-46

On this Last Sunday before the beginning of our new Liturgical Year, we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King. The Feast was established in 1925 by Pope Pius XI to remind Christians of the allegiance to Jesus as their King during the rise of Communism, Fascism and persecution of Christians in the Modern World. Christ the King (Cristo Rey) became the rallying call for Catholics in Mexico during the Cristero rebellion of 1926-1929 as they fought against the persecution of the Church. Many Christians like Blessed Miguel Pro died before the firing squad crying out, "Viva Cristo Rey! (Long live Christ the King). Today, as our faith is attacked by more subtle forces, the Celebration reminds us that in a world in which we are tempted to submit ourselves to the power of greed, selfishness or early vices, it is really Jesus Christ who is our Lord and King.

It is appropriate that this feast falls before our celebration of Thanksgiving. While initially not having enough food to feed the 102 members of the Plymouth colony in 1621, the Pilgrims were blessed with an abundant harvest due to the help of the Wampanoag Native Americans who provided them with seeds and taught them how to fish. Possibly these Native Americans would have treated the Pilgrims different if they knew what would happen to their homeland, but they did what was right. They recognized the need of the strangers and they not only gave them food, but they also showed them how to provide for themselves. The witness of Charity from the pagan Native Americans to the Christian Pilgrims still inspires us today to open our homes and hearts on Thanksgiving to those who are in need.

Today's Gospel is of the Last Judgment with the "Son of Man" in his glory separating the sheep from the goats. Both groups are similar in their surprise at their judgment. The sheep are surprised because they were only doing what was in their heart to do: feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked and visit those in prison. Because of the love that was in their heart, they naturally took care of those who were hurting around them. They did not do it for any service hours, or for a tax write-off and no one had to ask them. They loved others because it was the right thing to do. One of the most highly regarded saints of the early Church, Martin of Tours (4th Century) was still on the road to conversion as a young Roman Soldier when he met an unclothed man begging for alms in the freezing cold. He stopped, cut his coat in two and gave half to the stranger. That night he dreamt he saw the heavenly court with Jesus robed in a torn cloak. One of the angels present asked, "Master, why do you wear that battered cloak?" Jesus replied, "My servant Martin gave it to me."

Our Lord invites us to not only love those who love us or to give only to those who can repay us. Why? Because that is how God has loved us; that is what people who truly love do! Many years ago when I was visiting Turkey, I was taken aback by the kindness of the people towards us priests in a Muslim Country. Would a Muslim visiting our Christian country experience the same kindness? Would a visitor to San Pedro experience the same kindness from us? Would a stranger be welcomed in our parish? Honestly, sometimes I believe that we remain isolated in our little worlds and we are blind to those crying out amongst us!

The goats placed on the left of our Lord were equally surprised in today's Gospel. They did not see Jesus in the hungry, thirsty, stranger, the naked or imprisoned and they were surprised when they were not welcomed into the Kingdom of God. All of us can be blind at times to the plight of the needy. We turn our back to them, contemplating the thoughts that they brought about their situation on themselves. We may say, "they should get a job", or "they need to get off their addiction", "if I give them money they are going to waste it on booze" or "they deserve to be punished."

We also can be just as blind to the cry of those who are hurting and are close to us. In our own homes and workplaces we are sometimes blind to those who are in need physically, spiritually or morally. Often if we took a little time we would hear the pain of others, but we are so wrapped up in our own worlds that we remain blind to those suffering around us. We too may be surprised when Our Lord tells us that He does not know us.

As a community we are always being invited to look beyond ourselves. We are blessed at Mary Star of the Sea to have so many different opportunities to serve those who are forgotten by the world. We can visit the sick and present them the Holy Eucharist, we can feed the poor daily through our Christian Care or visit them in their homes through our St. Vincent de Paul Society. We can welcome the strangers through our Maritime Ministry and open the doors of faith as we prepare our children for the Sacraments. Today, Fr. Nicholas Tacito will be reminding us of one of the proud ways of welcoming Christ, through our High School. Very few parishes in the Archdiocese can boast of having their own High School. Because of you, the parishioners of Mary Star of the Sea Parish, we have a high school that prepares young men and women to live lives of virtue in a not so virtue- filled world. Why should we give to our High School? Not because we will receive anything in return. No, we should give because it is the right thing to do!

• The NEW TRANSLATION TO THE LITURGY WILL ARRIVE NEXT SUNDAY; be prepared! Cards will be in the pews to help us all with the new responses. It may take time, but hopefully we will all learn to rejoice in the beauty of the new translation of the words for Mass. Please read the insert in today’s bulletin.                         
• Thank you for the love you displayed at the death of Fr. Lorenzo De Dominici. As diocesan priests we give our lives to serve the people of God and their prayers and presence at these moments are greatly appreciated.                 
• We will be resuming the Church History Class this Monday, covering the age of the Martyrs and one of my favorite time period in the Church, the third century.                     
• Please join us at our Thanksgiving Mass on Thursday and bring bread and/or wine that you will be serving at your meal so it can be blessed. The collection during the Mass will go to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, which assists the needy in our community. You are welcome to also bring canned food times and they will be given to Christian Care for distribution during this busy holiday season.

God Bless,

Father John Provenza

Pastor