Christ the King Parish & School - Corpus Christi -

Spiritual Poverty - 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time (C) - (Lk 16:19-31)

Sun, 26 Sep 2010 09:00:00 -0100

September 27th is the feastday of St. Vincent de Paul (1581-1660), a priest from Paris who was dismayed by the plight of so many poor people living in a large urban city. Without adequate education, healthcare, or employment, many were reduced to begging, stealing, or other crimes.

St. Vincent organized a system of volunteers who donated time and resources to set up soup kitchens, hospitals, and other programs that were urgently needed. A number of these women volunteers were organized into a new religious community, the Daughters of Charity. Their efforts were so successful and beneficial that they became a model for civil authorities. St. Vincent de Paul invented the concept of organized social welfare, which today is taken for granted as a basic part of social planning in a modern society.

Philosophy of Stewardship - 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time (C) - (Am 8; 1Tm 2; Lk

Sun, 19 Sep 2010 10:30:00 -0100

In Luke’s “parable of the of the Dishonest Steward,” Jesus teaches the Christian philosophy of “stewardship.” This is something that applies both on the individual, household level, and also on the higher, national level.

The key idea of stewardship is separation or detachment from money or possessions. Jesus wanted his followers to live in freedom, without fear and excessive anxiety about having enough. It is easy to worship mammon, placing love and trust in money rather than God, but Jesus says you cannot worship both.

Karl and Zita - 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time (C) - (Lk 13:22-30; Hb 12:5-13)

Sun, 22 Aug 2010 10:30:00 -0100

Will many or few people be saved? We all want to ask the Lord this question, because we want some idea of what our chances are. We may not be very consoled by his response.

Jesus never directly answered the question. He never said how many people or how few would be saved. But he did say two things: first, it will be very difficult, and second, many are going to be surprised to find themselves shut out, and the doors locked. And Jesus will speak horrifying words to those on the outside, who are banging on the door saying “let me in; Lord, don’t you remember me?” Jesus will tell them: “I do not know you!” “Depart from me you evildoers, I do not know who you are or where you are from.”

Maryâs Dormition - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (C) - (1 Cor 15, Rv 12)

Sun, 15 Aug 2010 14:30:00 -0100

We have few details about the life of Mary after her Son Jesus ascended to heaven. The last time we see her in the New Testament was at Pentecost, when she was with the early church community in Jerusalem as the Holy Spirit came down upon them (Acts 1:14).

We know that on the Cross Jesus entrusted her to the care of the Apostle John and that he took her into his home (Jn 19:27). St. John went to Ephesus and died there toward the end of the first century. But when he arrived, and how long Mary was with him in Ephesus before her “death,” we do not know for sure.

Prayer Life - 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time (C) - (Lk 10:38-42)

Sun, 18 Jul 2010 16:50:00 -0100

My mother spends a good part of her life in the kitchen. It is the room of the house you would most probably find her, and certainly when there is a big family gathering. My mom has a statue of St. Martha in the kitchen. I would love to see this same situation happen in her home. To this day, she takes Martha’s side, totally sympathizing with her. She is not happy with how Jesus handled things.

Jerusalem to Jericho - 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (C) - (Lk 10:25-37)

Sun, 11 Jul 2010 08:10:00 -0100

The Parable of the Good Samaritan provides an example of incredible charity and kindness in helping one’s neighbor in need. This kindness is recognized first in Jesus, who came to save man. St. Gregory of Nyssa is an early Church Father who explained this parable of the Good Samaritan as an allegory of man’s salvation, centered on Jesus and Adam.

Freedom of the Spirit - 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time (C) - (Gal 5:1,13-18)

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 09:20:00 -0100

In the letter to the Galatians St. Paul explains that Christians are called to live in freedom the way Christ did, through the Gift of the Holy Spirit who dwells inside. “Brethren, for freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.”

What slavery? Many people think that Christians are the ones who do not have freedom, because they have all these rules and laws about moral behavior. For most people, freedom means being able to “do what you want.” This is exactly what the serpent said in the garden of Eden. He promised Adam and Eve that they could be like God, freely deciding for themselves what is right and wrong; what they would and would not do. Why can’t you eat the fruit? Do what you want!

Sacred Heart, 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time (C), (Zc 12:10-11, 13:1)

Sun, 20 Jun 2010 09:00:00 -0100

A few days ago, on Friday, June 11th, we celebrated the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart. Devotion to the Sacred Heart is almost as popular and universal as the Rosary. In our parish, the two statues located in the sanctuary are the Sacred Heart and Blessed Virgin Mary. In the narthex, we have a statue of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque (d. 1690), whose visions popularized the devotion. Around our diocese, many towns have a church dedicated to the Sacred Heart: Corpus Christi, Sinton, Odem, Mathis, Falfurrias, Alice, Three Rivers, Rockport.

Holy Matrimony - 5th Sunday of Easter (C) - (Rev 21:1-5; Jn 13:31-35)

Mon, 03 May 2010 01:59:28 -0100

In Revelation is a vision of the Church as the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven as Christ’s Bride. Marriage is the Sacrament that expresses this spousal love of Christ for his Church. Jesus consecrates human love, transforming it into Christian love, by which he wants his followers to be known.

Secularism and Islam - 4th Sunday of Easter (C) - (Jn 10:27-30)

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 02:43:41 -0100

Pope Benedict tells us there are two great spiritual dangers in the world today, and Catholics are caught between them, in the middle. We have a mission to fight against each danger, and bring people to the center where we can find truth and hear the voice of the Good Shepherd.