The King's Corner

Quite a pope with a long Church history. VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Retired Pope Benedict XVI, who had an impressive record as a teacher and defender of the basics of Catholic faith, is likely to go down in history books as the first pope in almost 600 years to resign. He died Dec. 31 at the age of 95, nearly 10 years after leaving the papacy to retire to what he said would be a life of prayer and study. Pope Francis was scheduled to celebrate his predecessor's funeral Mass Jan. 5 in St. Peter's Square. Matteo Bruni, director of the Vatican press office, said the funeral rites would be simple in keeping with the wishes of the late pope. As the retired pope neared death, he was given the anointing of the sick Dec. 28 in his residence, Bruni said. His body was to lie in St. Peter's Basilica beginning Jan. 2 so that people could pay their respects and offer their prayers, he said. A close collaborator of St. John Paul II and the theological expert behind many of his major teachings

What follows is an insightful article about advice to young and newly ordained priests.  I suspect some of this advice pertains to deacons as well.  It was published in the National Catholic Register.  The italiced text below summarizes the author's main point. (begin) Advice to a Soon-to-Be Catholic Priest: by David Mills, editor of the Hour of Our Death website. He is finishing a book for Sophia Press titled When Catholics Die. The average parishioner wants a priest who loves God and loves them and loves what he’s doing, and they’ll forgive a lot of someone who does all this.

Beloved: The way we may be sure that we know Jesus is to keep his commandments. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps his word, the love of God is truly perfected in him. This is the way we may know that we are in union with him: whoever claims to abide in him ought to walk just as he walked. Beloved, I am writing no new commandment to you but an old commandment that you had from the beginning.  The old commandment is the word that you have heard.  And yet I do write a new commandment to you, which holds true in him and among you, for the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining.  Whoever says he is in the light, yet hates his brother, is still in the darkness.  Whoever loves his brother remains in the light, and there is nothing in him to cause a fall. Whoever hates his brother is in darkness; he walks in darkness and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinde

Don't worry.  Be happy! (begin) In a book published in November 2022, Pope Francis talks about how to achieve happiness and reminds us that God, as our creator, wants the best for our lives. The book is only available in Italian for now and is titled “I want you to be happy: The hundredfold in this life,” (“ Ti voglio felice. Il centuplo in questa vita,” Pienogiorno) . In the first chapter the Argentinian Pontiff offers 15 “steps towards happiness.” Here they are!  1. “Read inside yourself” Pope Francis explains that “our life is the most precious book that has been given to us” and it is precisely within those pages that we can find the truth and happiness that we long and search for. The Pontiff cites Saint Augustine who said  “return to within yourself; truth dwells in the inner man.” He invites everyone, including himself, to read their own lives and journeys “with serenity.” 

Creativity on display using beach stones. Deacon David Pierce

What follows is Pope Francis’ Christmas Eve homily.  Quite a wonderful gift for us at Christmas! (begin) What does this night still have to say to our lives? Two thousand years after the birth of Jesus, after so many Christmases spent amid decorations and gifts, after so much consumerism that has packaged the mystery we celebrate, there is a danger. We know many things about Christmas, but we forget its real meaning. So how do we rediscover the meaning of Christmas? First of all, where do we go to find it? The Gospel of Jesus’ birth appears to have been written precisely for this purpose: to take us by the hand and lead us where God would have us go. It starts with a situation not unlike our own: everyone is bustling about, getting ready for an important event, the great census, which called for much preparation. In that sense, the atmosphere was very much like our modern celebration of Christmas. Yet the Gospel has little to do with that worldly scenario; it quickly shifts our gaze to

Merry Christmas!  May your day be merry and bright and filled with laughter and love despite what may be very trying circumstances for many of us, especially loneliness. We get and give gifts today as a reminder of what the three wise men brought to Jesus at the end of what we call the Christas season.  Let's focus on our gift of love and devotion to Jesus we provide today and throughout the year.  Also, let's re-gift that gift by giving it to those around us in need of our care and attention. Deacon David Pierce

The following article recently appeared in the Boston Globe. (begin) "With marriage equality law, Catholic bishops refuse to separate civil rights from religious rights: The US Conference of Bishops is imposing a religious view of marriage on the secular world" by Joan Vennochi Globe Columnist, December 19, 2022 When President Biden signed the Respect for Marriage Act into law last week, Jamie L. Manson, president of Catholics for Choice, was one of thousands who attended the ceremony. “The president’s speech was very touching. I was very moved,” Manson, who is gay, told me. Yet, however overwhelmed by sentiment she might be, her presence and that of every Catholic there — including Biden — defied the position taken by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops. The bishops lobbied strongly against the new law, which mandates federal recognition of same-sex marriage even though it also protects religious organizations from any requirement to do the same. That unyielding dissent s

This is why I have tremendous respect for Pope Francis while many Catholic leaders, especially some prominent US Catholic bishops, do not.  “Elegant demons” occupy the Vatican and many of us as well.  Father Andrew Greeley (deceased) surely would agree as evidenced by his 1976 book “The Devil You Say! Man and His Personal Devils and Angels.” (begin) Pope warns Vatican staff an 'elegant demon' lurks among them by Nicole Winfield, Associated Press, December 22 Pope Francis has warned Vatican bureaucrats to beware the devil that lurks among them, saying it is an “elegant demon” that works in people who have a rigid, holier-than-thou way of living the Catholic faith

Bulletin for December 25, 2022  

December 25, 2022 the Nativity of the Lord A Blessed Christmas Eve, Day and Season; (December 25th to January 9th) We open this short but important season of our Church Year during which we focus on the mystery of the Incarnation, that in Jesus born in Bethlehem and raised at Nazareth, God’s Word became flesh and dwelled among us in order to save us by his death and resurrection. So let our greatest joy be found in the truth of that mystery, that God who came once in history and will come again in glory is with us now in sacramental mystery keeping his promise never to leave us orphans. Indeed, the Lord is accompanying us through all the ups and downs, joys and sorrows, possibilities and limitations of our human condition. In this truth even those in sorrow or difficulty have cause to rejoice assured that no matter what they may be facing they are never really alone! So let the tidings of Emmanuel, God in Christ ever with us, be tidings of comfort and joy to all! Organ Concert: A con

Homily 10:30 Mass This week before Christmas on the Fourth Sunday of Advent, we ask, “what’s in a name?  Quite a bit actually.  For example, the Hebrew meaning of Joseph is “God will give,” and Mary means “beloved.”  Gospel-writer Matthew is “gift of God;” Mark means “lion;” and Luke means “light-giving. And let’s not forget John that means “graced by God.” That suits you, doesn’t it Father John Prusaitis?  Father celebrates his 45th year as a priest in January. That’s a lot of grace, and deserved! Deacon Christopher Hughes, who will be ordained a priest next year, means “Christ-bearer.” Whatever we are named, we are all Christ-bearers through our baptisms, and we must live up to that name, and that’s not easy. Yes, what’s in a name? In our Gospel we heard that the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph, Son of David, and said in a dream. “Do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a s

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham became the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar .  Perez became the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab.  Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab .  Boaz became the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth . Obed became the father of Jesse, Jesse the father of David the king. David became the father of Solomon, whose mother [Bathsheba] had been the wife of Uriah.

From the Center for Action and Contemplation: (begin) For Father Richard Rohr, the Trinity provides the foundation of a benevolent universe. Here Richard reflects on the meaning of “Father” in Trinitarian theology: God for us , we call you Father. God alongside us, we call you Jesus. God within us, we call you Holy Spirit. —Richard Rohr God for us is my understanding of, and code word for, the Father. It tells us that reality is foundationally benevolent. Reality is on our side. It’s not a scary universe. It tells us that God, like a good father, is for us and is protective of us. You can just as easily call God Mother, or Inherent Goodness, or Primal Love. 

The following is today’s psalm 85:9-14 with the response being Isaiah 45:8: R. Let the clouds rain down the Just One, and the earth bring forth a Savior.  I will hear what God proclaims; the LORD–for he proclaims peace to his people. Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him, glory dwelling in our land. R. Let the clouds rain down the Just One, and the earth bring forth a Savior.

Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people: “What is your opinion?  A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ The son said in reply, ‘I will not,’ but afterwards he changed his mind and went. The man came to the other son and gave the same order. He said in reply, ‘Yes, sir,’ but did not go. Which of the two did his father’s will?” They answered, “The first.”  Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the Kingdom of God before you. When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes did. Yet even when you saw that, you did not later change your minds and believe him.” (Matthew 21:28-32) No wonder Jesus was handed over by the chief priests and elders of the people.  He voiced a view that confronted and challenged their religious views.  Jesus said tax collectors and prostitutes were at the head of the line if they

The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end.” But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the child to be born will be called holy, the Son

When John the Baptist heard in prison of the works of the Christ, he sent his disciples to Jesus with this question, "Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?"  Jesus said to them in reply, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me." As they were going off, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, "What did you go out to the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? Then what did you go out to see? Someone dressed in fine clothing? Those who wear fine clothing are in royal palaces. Then why did you go out?  To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 

 

For the leader. A psalm of David. A song . To you we owe our hymn of praise, O God on Zion; to you our vows must be fulfilled, you who hear our prayers. To you all flesh must come with its burden of wicked deeds. We are overcome by our sins; only you can pardon them. Blessed the one whom you will choose and bring to dwell in your courts. May we be filled with the good things of your house, your holy temple! You answer us with awesome deeds of justice, O God our savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of those far off across the sea. You are robed in power, you set up the mountains by your might. You [humble] still the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves (emphasis added), the tumult of the peoples. Distant peoples stand in awe of your marvels; the places of morning and evening you make resound with joy. You visit the earth and water it, make it abundantly fertile. God’s stream is filled with water; you supply their grain. Thus, do you prepare it: you drench its plo

 Our NEW website has gone live, you can find us at https://christthekingparish.com/

Where do the "12 Days of Christmas" lyrics come from?  Here’s a possible explanation I found on the web. (begin) Though some scholars believe that the song is French in origin, the first printed appearance of the song was in the English children's book Mirth With-out Mischief. If you haven't heard of it, that's probably because it was published in 1780. You could ask the person who shelled out $23,750 at a Sotheby's auction for a first edition to borrow their copy. But even so, you may not recognize the lyrics. In the original lyrics, the "four calling birds" were actually “four colly birds." The term "colly" is old English slang for blackbirds. In other old versions of the song, the partridge we all know and love is replaced with a "very pretty peacock upon a pear tree." There's also a Scottish version that gifts "an Arabian baboon." It wasn't until 1909 that British composer Frederic Austin penned the vers

Here is a reflection from America Media for Friday of the First Week of Advent by Cristobal Spielmann.  We are a week after this refection was published.  Nevertheless, I provide it here because it is relevant to the production “The Chosen” in which blindness is an important element.  I profiled this television series in a previous blog entry. (begin) On that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book; And out of gloom and darkness, the eyes of the blind shall see. (Isaiah 29:18) Both the first reading and Gospel today have segments focused on the healing of the blind as promised by God. In the first reading, we learn from the prophet Isaiah of the end goal of God’s plan, which is one of justice triumphing over injustice. The deaf and blind are able to absorb fully the words of God and his promises against any obstacle. In the Gospel, we have a brief story of Jesus restoring sight to two blind men based on the power of their faith before the two share the story of this miracle “throu

No moment in the history of the United States casts a longer shadow than Pearl Harbor. “Remembering” it has become a national imperative, a patriotic duty for the American people, and reminding us of that duty has become a ritual of media and political discourse—repeated so often and in so many ways that it’s become part of the routine of our communal life. (Rob Citino, PhD) War is hell!  The consequences are severe.  The human race will never learn. Deacon David Pierce

Jesus said to the crowds: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart, and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” (Matthew 11:28-30) “For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” Hardly.  Nevertheless, we are told: “You will find rest for yourselves.” Jesus appears to reference and quote the prophet Jeremiah (6:16): Stand by the earliest roads, ask the pathways of old, ‘Which is the way to good?’ and walk it; thus you will find rest for yourselves.”  Jeremiah’s audience said, “We will not walk it.”  We are Jesus’ audience.  Are we walking his path?  Are we yoked to him?  Often, we feel as if the yoke’s weight is making us sink deep into the mud.  Such is our fate with heavy loads.  We can only persevere and share the load with other people walking besides us.  We, the Body of Christ, are sturdy when we learn from him and strive to be meek and

As Jesus passed by, two blind men followed him, crying out, “Son of David, have pity on us!”  When he entered the house, the blind men approached him and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I can do this?” “Yes, Lord,” they said to him. Then he touched their eyes and said, “Let it be done for you according to your faith.” And their eyes were opened.  Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.”  But they went out and spread word of him through all that land. (Matthew 9:27-31) The two men had blind faith meaning a “belief without true understanding, perception, or discrimination.”  Is this really the kind of faith God desires us to have? Is our faith really to be blind, without true understanding?