Archives for November 2011

Jesus said to his disciples: “Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come.” (Mt. 13:33) One almost hopes that Jesus would announce His Second Coming simultaneously through a text message, Twitter, Facebook, a Google News Alert, PSA's on all of the broadcast and cable television stations and talk radio. Because if that were the case, He'd be bound to reach 90% of the world population who are immersed in technology through tv, radio, the internet and cell phones. But I don't think that's the “watching” that Jesus is calling us to engage in. In fact, I don't really think he's talking about our using our “eyes” at all. Jesus says “watch!” as the last word in this Sunday's Gospel. And that word comes from the Greek word γρηγορεῖτε (gregoreite) really has … [Read more...]

Then the king will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.” (Mt. 25:34-36) What does it mean to be “king”? The word calls to mind different images for each of us. Some of the older parishioners might recall King George VI, the father of the current Queen Elizabeth of England who died in 1952. For younger people, the word king might call to mind something completely different. One person might think of Rex, the King of Carnival. Another might think of using the word as being a superlative, like “Elvis … [Read more...]

Jesus told his disciples this parable: “A man going on a journey called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one – to each according to his ability. Then he went away.” (Mt. 25:14-15) When I was a child, I remember having a picture book outlining this week's parable. And in the book, the word “talent” was translated “bag of gold.” And that's precisely what Jesus is talking about here. In the original Greek, the word used is τάλαντον (talenton), which is a unit of measurement. It was the amount of a precious metal that would fill an amphora, which was approximately one cubic foot.  The weight (and value) would depend upon the type of metal. While certainly a “liberal” translation, the term “bag of … [Read more...]

“We do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, about those who have fallen asleep, so that you may not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose, so too will God, through Jesus, bring with him those who have fallen asleep.” (1 Thess. 4:13-14) One of the more obvious jobs of a pastor is presiding over liturgical events, whether it's Sunday Masses, weddings or funerals. I mentioned a few weeks ago that we were currently in the fall New Orleans wedding season, during which I have at least one wedding every weekend. But I've also provided over a few funerals recently. Although most people understand the purpose of a funeral, sometimes some people don't. They might call it a “celebration of a person's life.” While I am always happy that … [Read more...]