Corruption Condemned
Jesus and the victory of God
Announcements for November 13, 2021:
Last Saturday's Gala was a huge success. Thank you to everyone who so generously gave their time, talent, and treasure to the effort. You can find a list of the event's sponsors here.
Young adults (ages 18-39) are invited to a night of Adoration and fellowship on Friday, November 19th. Feel free to send me a note for more information.
On December 11th, we will host Advent by Candlelight, an elegant evening out for women. Join us for friendship, food, prayer, a special talk, and some time to reflect. You can register here or after weekend Masses in November.
The Diocesan Ministries Appeal continues! Check out Bishop Sweeney's appeal video, and click here to give today.
Visit our Parishioner Portal for up-to-date announcements.
Dear Saints,
This weekend's Gospel passage presents a big challenge: What should we make of Jesus' warnings of impending doom to the people of his day?
As a matter of context, it makes sense to know something about the First Jewish-Roman War and the Siege of Jerusalem. No worries if you don't have time for the additional reading. Here are the highlights (really lowlights):
The historian Josephus tells us that, during the siege of 70AD, many of Jerusalem's citizens starved; they ate their own babies to stay alive; people fought each other for scraps of dirty food; and they warred against each other for marginal political gain. More Jews were killed by other Jews than by invading Romans.
No wonder Jesus' warnings were so severe, so desperate.
The Siege and Destruction of Jerusalem
David Roberts, 1850
The destruction of Jerusalem was complete, the coming to a head of the judgement Jesus enacted and prophesied in his cleansing of the temple. The whole corrupt regime - the regime that condemned Jesus - had to be overturned.
In our Gospel passage this Sunday, Jesus says that the Son of Man, In those days, ... will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the end of the earth to the end of the sky.
Let me translate: Israel's God will make a way of salvation for all (and not just the Jews). He will do through Jesus what the Temple should have accomplished, but never could (and instead opposed). Jesus' messengers (aggelos = angel/messenger in the Greek) will go out to the whole world, where God's chosen ones (the elect, Gentiles and Jews alike) await the Good News of God's becoming King by his triumph over sin and death.
By his death and resurrection, King Jesus inaugurates the reign of God's merciful love. From this and from our Gospel reading we derive two significant claims: Nothing that pits itself against God and his way - not even the Temple - can ultimately stand; and trusting and following King Jesus in every aspect of our lives, we now implement God’s just and loving rule so as to enliven - in anticipation of Jesus' return - every corner of his creation.
I love you, my friends, and I look forward to seeing you soon.
Christ's Peace,
Father Daniel
δοῦλος Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ
Preparing for Mass?
Check out this weekend's readings:
The Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
The Destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem
Francesco Hayez, 1867