Tag: Fr Bill Kreutz SJ

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1st IGNATIUS 2021

LOYOLA  TO  MONTSERRAT    1491 –  1522

Casa-Loyola 1st IGNATIUS 2021

A drawing of Casa Loyola as it would have appeared in the time of St. Ignatius. It is located in Azpeitia, Gipuzkoa in the Basque region. (It is now surrounded by many religious buildings and within the area there is a basilica.) On the right is the identifying symbol of the family of the casa – two wolves at a pot of food, enough food to feed all visitors. This stone is set above the main door, which was on the left lower corner of the casa.

Ignatius was born on Christmas eve in 1491, the youngest of 13 children. He was baptized Inigo Lopez.  

1509-igantius-began-a-military-career 1st IGNATIUS 2021

In 1509 Ignatius began a military career. He was engaged in much warfare under the Duke of Navarre. It was during the defense of the citidel of Pamplona in 1521 that Ignatius suffered a serious leg wound that left him incapacitated. Ignatius that they carried the wounded soldier back to his home in Loyola. It was a distance of about 17 km over difficult terrain.

The recovery period was long and quite difficult. On at least two occasions he had to go through very painful operations to properly fix and set his wounded leg. His desire was to read a number of the popular novels of the day, adventure and romance, tool while away the time of his confinement and in action. The only two books found in the house were the life of Christ and a book of the lives of the saints. With nothing else to do, Ignatius read and reread these two volumes.  These books changed his life.

With-this-he-resolved 1st IGNATIUS 2021

God’s grace was touching him. He felt Much consolation in reading about Jesus and the holy saints; more peace and consolation than what he felt when he was thinking of the life of a gallant and dashing Knight. In this time, it seemed he already experienced a number of visions. He felt that he saw most clearly mother Mary and the Child.

With this, he resolved to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and in imitation of the Saints to live a life of poverty and chastity and to make every effort to convert the peoples in those regions.

And so it was, in spite of the many protest on the part of his family to dissuade him, Ignatius began his pilgrimage from Azpetia to Jerusalem.

ntius-left-the-casa 1st IGNATIUS 2021

Ignatius left the casa sometime in February, 1522. He rode on horseback. He was accompanied by his brother. Together they made an overnight vigil at the shrine of Our Lady at  Aramtzazu about 15 kilometers  from Loyola. The next day his brother returned home and Ignatius continued on his pilgrimage.

The journey from Arantazu to Montserrrat took more than a month. It was generally uneventful except for the encounter that Ignatius had with a Muslim traveler where there was sharp disagreement about the Virgin Mary.

In late March Ignatius arrived in the vicinity of Montserrat, possibly at Manresa near Barcelona. In that small town he bought a pilgrim’s garment made of sackcloth and he gave his fine garments to a beggar.    (which caused some difficulty for the better).

Monserrate-range-as-seen-from-Manresa 1st IGNATIUS 2021 The picture is of the Montserrat range as seen from Manresa.

Ignatius had now reached the second step of his journey to Jerusalem. He was to pay his homage to the Black Madonna at the Benedictine Abbey in Montserrat. As he mentioned in his Autobiography, he spent time in prayer and made his general confession. He took three days to write out all that he wanted to bring forward seeking forgiveness for the sins of his past life.    The next day he would receive the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.

On the evening of March 24, 15,22, he began his knightly vigil before the altar of our Lady. This was the eve of the feast of Mary’s Annunciation.

  • The-pilgrims-clothing-1 1st IGNATIUS 2021
  • Altar-of-our-Lady-1 1st IGNATIUS 2021

The image shows Ignatius already in his pilgrim’s garb offering his sword to his Lady – a moment of consecration.

The pilgrim’s clothing would be his clothing for a long period of time – as he journeyed to Jerusalem and later would spent much time in Manresa and Barcelona..

For sure, deep in Ignatius’ mind was his intention to make the final part of his pilgrimage – to the land of the Lord Jesus in Jerusalem and there to stay for his mission for God’s glory.

Reflection and Prayer

Ignatius was much like each one of us – trying to find our place in the world.

The way was clear for him – born into a family of minor nobility a career as a military man was most appropriate.

And so, that is what he did – and quite successfully, it seems.

He had some basic human virtues that would do well for him –

most notably, a sense of loyalty in a life of service.

We see that helped bring Ignatius to the spiritual leadership that was his great grace.

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6th Sunday of Easter 2021

17th Sunday of the Year

May 9, 2021

The  Word, Source: Acts of the Apostles 10. One – 49 (excerpts)

The Roman Centurium Cornelius Invites Peter the Apostle To His Home

25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and, falling at his feet, paid him homage.

26 Peter, however, raised him up, saying, “Get up. I myself am also a human being.” He rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him.”

44 While Peter was still speaking these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon alllwho were listening to the word.

45 The circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit should have been poured out on the Gentiles also,

6th-Sunday-of-Easter-2021 6th Sunday of Easter 2021
Image from Google

46 for they could hear them speaking in tongues and glorifying God.
Then Peter responded,

47 “Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit even as we have?”

48 He ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.

A REFLECTION

There are a number of stories about Gentiles (non-Jews) believing in Jesus and following the experiences and teachings of the apostles. Although this seems to be something of the past – it is most important – for we are Gentiles. Our connection to Judaism is to our faithful understanding of the Old Testament as the Moseic covenant with God before Jesus came as the central figure of the New Covenant. This part of our tradition allows us to call Abraham as our Father in Faith. And so, it was most amazing to the believers, as we see in this week’s reading from the Acts of the Apostles, when they saw that the Holy Spirit came upon Centurion Cornelius, his family and all his friends who had gathered around to hear the words and testimony of the apostle Peter. The Lord God rewarded the goodness of Cornelius.

Can I urge again that you read this wonderful story as told by St. Luke. It is beautifully written in in a number of segments. It is a wonderful chapter – Chapter 10 of the Acts of the Apostles.

Now, this day, 2000 years later, we hear the words of Peter for ourselves.

As mentioned in an earlier communication – this is a good time to read a little of the Acts each day as we prepare for the feast of Pentecost – the Holy Spirit given for all of us.

As you read again today’s Scripture – be thankful and rejoice that you have been called to hear the message of Jesus.

It is a message of life – like to be received and life to be shared. Think of it.

MY  PRAYER

Start with a prayer of thanksgiving for the gift of faith in Jesus Christ – for this wonderful story of Peter and Cornelius – remembering parents and those who took care of you – perhaps the priests in your parish, the teachers in your schools over the years –the many who gifted you with a good example of Christian life. may be, too, the prayer group that supports you and how you support others –

Offer a prayer to be renewed in your faith, strengthen in the following of Jesus -Pray for a renewal, a new gift of the Holy Spirit – for whatever change of life is needed or desired – Father, in the name of Jesus – renew me in the Holy Spirit –

                

                 

                       

                       



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3rd Sunday of Easter

17th Sunday of the Year

The Word
Source: Acts of the Apostles 3:13-15, 17-19
(Some short time after the gift of the Holy Spirit, Peter and John went to the temple, as was their custom, to pray. While there, they cured a man who was crippled – raising him up in the name of Jesus. A great commotion followed, a crowd gathered and this is the story.)

3rd-Sunday-2021picture 3rd Sunday of Easter
Image from Google

13 [Peter spoke out:]
The God of Abraham, [the God] of Isaac, and [the God] of Jacob, the God of our ancestors, has glorified his servant Jesus whom you handed over and denied in Pilate’s presence, when he had decided to release him.

14 You denied the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you.

15 The author of life you put to death, but God raised him from the dead; of this we are witnesses.

16 And by faith in his name, this man, whom you see and know, his name has made strong, and the faith that comes through it has given him this perfect health, in the presence of all of you.

17 Now I know, brothers, that you acted out of ignorance, just as your leaders did.

18 but God has thus brought to fulfillment what he had announced beforehand through the mouth of all the prophets, that his Messiah would suffer.

19 Repent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be wiped away.

A REFLECTION

The Acts of the Apostles is quite a vivid presentation of what happened in the early days of the Church. The timid and fearful fishermen of Galilee are now strong and speak out. The gift of the Holy Spirit gave them knowledge and wisdom and courage. In the first chapters of the Acts, we see all that happened, what all the apostles went through – first to bring the good news to the Jewish people, the people of the Covenant. Sadly, they fail. Then, inspired by the Holy Spirit, they will move on, and bring God’s good news of love and forgiveness and redemption to those who are not of the Jewish faith.

Peter and Paul will be the point persons designated by the Lord Jesus himself. Peter having received his commission from the Lord during the years of training and preparation and at the Last Supper and at the great commission given at the end of the Gospels. Paul, in a very different way, would also receive his commission from the Lord Jesus in a very unique moment of blindness on the road to Damascus. Paul did not know the Jesus of the apostles; he only knew the Risen One from that personal experience and from the continuing work of the Holy Spirit in his life.

I think is very important to read the Acts of the Apostles. How the early Church progressed to the preaching of those entrusted with the knowledge and faith in Jesus Christ. Peter and Paul are the first among these.

We are those who are being taught – we are the Gentiles, not inheritors of the old testament. We are the new people of God. We truly thank Peter and Paul and so many after them, even to this very day, who brought to us and continue to bring to us the Good News of Jesus the Christ.

ALLELUIA!

MY PRAYER

Look at the picture again – Peter’s style is so simple –
Would you listen to him? Would you pay attention to him?

Recall the events of just two or so weeks ago –
Recall the reading on Good Friday – what did the people cry out?
If you have been there and the place of Pilate – what would you have cried out?

Consider this carefully – Where do I stand – what do I say?
Where am I standing now – what am I saying?
Where do I want to stand – what do I want to say?

Jesus – your Cross is my salvation – I believe, I repent, I desire to you live your life for others –
I ask, dear Jesus, that you will help carry my cross I ask that you give me joy and fullness of life –  Thank you, Jesus, Thank You!

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2ND Sunday of Easter

17th Sunday of the Year

April 11, 2021

THE WORD, Source: John 29.24-29 (excerpt from today’s Gospel)

The Risen Jesus and the Unbelieving Thomas
(Thomas was absent when Jesus first appeared to the disciples. John 20.19-23)

24 Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.

25 So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

Jesus-hands 2ND Sunday of Easter
Image from Google

26 Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you”.

27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.”

28 Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

29 Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me?Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

A REFLECTION

(Today is Divine Mercy Sunday – for some a moment of special prayer and novena. Our emphasis will be on faith in Jesus Christ.)

For the early church – the church of the lifetime of the apostles – the core preaching was about salvation through faith in Jesus Christ relying on his death and resurrection. There would have been many stories about what Jesus said and did, and these would later be put together in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

There developed, too, inspired by the Holy Spirit that the gift of faith was not just for the Jewish people, but for anyone who would believe in Jesus Christ. There would have been many stories shared about Jesus Christ; what he said and what he did. But it would only be a later time that these will be written up as the Gospels we know today from Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. These were written beyond the lifetime of the apostles.

The role of faith is well emphasized in today’s Gospel reading.
Thomas lacking trust and faith says: “Unless I see, I will not believe.”

Jesus accedes to this demand, going so far as inviting Thomas to touch his wounds. And Thomas is struck by this gesture of Jesus.

We still believe, 2000 years later. We are given a great blessing by Jesus –
“Blessed are they who have not seen but have believed.”

It may be good today to remember those who transmitted the gift of faith to us – parents, parishes, schools, communities. The testimony of Peter and Paul are still part of our lives today. We believe – because they believed and shared that belief, that faith in Jesus Christ.

MY PRAYER

As always – try to be comfortable and quiet
Recall God’s presence before you and you before him
What grace or blessing would you ask for at this moment.

Perhaps I think of the many who have passed the faith onto me, the knowledge and love of Jesus
⦁ Lord, bless those who have blessed me with the gift of faith –

I consider how faith in Jesus changes my life – how I live with others –
my family, household helps coworkers, those who approach me for help – for whatever –

  • Forgive me, Jesus, for the many moments I have been unfaithful to your example –

like Thomas, I come and kneel before you –

  • Strengthen me in my life of faith – I want to believe –
  • Jesus, I kiss your hands – I love you – thank you for your life and death and resurrection –

My Lord and My God!

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The Word and A Reflection and My Prayer

Cleansing of the Temple.

3rd  LENT  SUNDAY, March 7, 2021

THE WORD, Source:  John 2.13-25

Cleansing of the Temple.

13 Since the Passover of the Jews was near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

14 He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, as well as the money-changers seated there.

15 He made a whip out of cords and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and oxen, and spilled the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables

16 and to those who sold doves he said, “Take these out of here, and stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!”

17 His disciples recalled the words of scripture,i “Zeal for your house will consume me.”

18 At this the Jews answered and said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?”

19 Jesus answered and said to them,“Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.”

20 Then Jews said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and you will raise it up in three days?”

21 But he was speaking about the temple of his body.

22 Therefore, when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they came to believe the scripture and the word Jesus had spoken.

23 While he was in Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, many began to believe in his name when they saw the signs he was doing.

24 But Jesus would not trust himself to them because he knew them all,

25 and did not need anyone to testify about human nature. He himself understood it well.

A REFLECTION

The first reading at Holy Mass today brings to us the 10 Commandments as given to Moses. These represent the human part of a mutual covenant of God and human beings –  He is our God and we are His People.

The Holy Gospel at our Mass, the cleansing of the temple – my Father’s House –can be seen as an allegory – the cleansing we need as we are God’s People. (At a later time, Jesus will be even more gracious – God is our Father and we are His Children)

We cleanse ourselves on three levels –

  • the Ten Commandments – focusing on self and family and community “which is greatest  commandment?”; love God and love neighbor as oneself –
  • “I give you a New Commandment ” Even at the Last Supper, “Love one another as I have loved you.”  – to love as Jesus has loved us – compassion, mercy, forgiveness –

   St. Ignatius pointed out: Love is shown in deeds, not words.

MY  PRAYER

As you can imagine  –  it is time to cleanse your temple – an important Lenten activity

  • I sit quietly, in expectation –
  • I recall the Lord God is present with me as Jesus promised
  • I ask for the grace of the moment – to be cleansed –
  • How will I conform myself to the Ten Commandments; My conduct – my life – within my family and among others – I review the Commandments one by one –
  • How do I stand — loving God above all? How do I accomplish this? — loving others as myself –how do I fix my relationship with others?
  • Can I love as Jesus loves – compassionate, merciful,  forgiving – I desire this – I pray for this grace –

Create in me a clean heart, O Lord, and renew a right spirit within me – from Psalm 51

Father Bill Kreutz, SJ Loyola House of Studies Scripture from the New American Bible                                                                                     

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The Word and A Reflection and My Prayer

4th Sunday of the Year 2021 January 31, 2021

The  Word Source:  Mark 1.21-28

The Cure of   a Man Possessed by an Evil Spirit

21  Then they came to Capernaum, and on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught.

22 The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.

23 In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit;

24*  he cried out, “What have you to do with us,* Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

25   Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet! Come out of him!”

26   The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him. and with a loud cry came out of him.

27   All were amazed and asked one another, “What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.”

28   His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.

A REFLECTION

This Sunday’s gospel continues the beginning of Jesus public life –

Jesus is baptized at the river Jordan – three weeks ago; Jesus meets two disciples at the Jordan  – two weeks ago; Jesus calls Peter and Andrew and James and John to follow him – last week. Today – Jesus, with his disciples, exhibits his power as a teacher and his power over evil spirits.

How blessed we are that people remember the stories and wrote them down and so, have invited us to be present.

Presence and healing will be our prayer today –

MY  PRAYER

As always, take time to recall God’s presence in your life and at this moment. – Look at the picture, or close your eyes and ask for the grace to be present with the apostles and to be healed –Yes – to be healed  – not just to be present – of the evil within me – 

Holy One of God – drive out the evil within me – anger, resentment, jealousy, vengeance, laziness of spirit and body, total self -absorption –

Holy One of God – give to me a new spirit – give to me a spirit of love and service for my family and those who share my life –and others – especially those neglected and those in need –

Jesus, Holy One of God – be with me always

                                                                                                         

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The Word, A Reflection and Prayer

3rd Sunday of the Year 2021, January 24, Source:  Mark 1.14-20

The  Word

Jesus Calls the First Disciples   

14 After John [the Baptizer]  had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God:

15 “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

16 As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen.

17 Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

18 Then they abandoned their nets and followed him.

19 He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets.

20 Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him.

3rd-Sunday-2021 The Word, A Reflection and Prayer
Image from Google.

A REFLECTION

It was just last week that we read the gospel about Jesus meeting two disciples of John the Baptist who wanted to talk with him. One of them, as we know, was Andrew. He in turn shared his experience of Jesus with his brother Simon. They were both fishermen. We recall that it was Jesus himself who gave Simon the name Peter. Perhaps, after this first experience, they all met a few times. Jesus knew who they were.

Today we hear that Jesus had begun his ministry of teaching and healing. And he desired that others would share that experience with him. So, he looked for those whom he knew – Peter and Andrew and the two brothers John and James. They were all fishermen.

Jesus called them and asked/invited them to journey with him, to learn from him, to share his ministry of Good News. And so, they all left their nets and their fishing boats and their families to go with Jesus. They were invited to share the ministry of Jesus.

MY  PRAYER

To get started in this time of prayer, put yourself in a quiet comfortable mode – Recall that God is always with us as promised. Ask for the grace to hear the call to ministry – and to accepted and live by it

What is the ministry of Jesus?

Pope Francis and others have put it like this – Compassion, Mercy, Forgiveness, Healing,  Generosity, Kindness

>>   Reflect and pray over each of these – Do I bring these ministries of Jesus to others? Is there something holding me back? Anger? Resentment? Hurt feelings? Jealousy?…..

>> Ask for the grace to be a minister of blessing – as in each of the above- in the spirit of Jesus – Father give me the grace to know and to love and to share in the ministry of Jesus!

Father Bill Kreutz, SJ, Scripture from the New American Bible                                                      

                                                                                     

                                                                                   

                                                                                    

                                                                                   

                                                                                    

           

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The Word, a Reflection and Prayer

December 6, 2020, 2nd week of Advent

Father Bill Kreutz, SJ

The  Word

Reading 1    Prophet Isiah  40:1-5, 9-11

1 Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God.

2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her service is at an end, her guilt is expiated; Indeed, she has received from the hand of the LORD double for all her sins.

3 A voice cries out: In the desert prepare the way of the LORD! Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God!

4 Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill shall be made low; The rugged land shall be made a plain, the rough country, a broad valley.

5 Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed and all mankind shall see it together; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

9 Go up onto a high mountain, Zion, herald of glad tidings Cry out at the top of your voice: Here is your God!

10 Here comes with power the Lord GOD, who rules by his strong arm; Here is his Reward with him, his recompense before him.

11 Like a shepherd he feeds his flock; in his arms he gathers the lambs, Carrying them in his bosom, and leading the ewes with care.

advent2 The Word, a Reflection and Prayer

A  REFLECTION  and  PRAYER

How wonderful the words of encouragement – today’s first reading. We are all feeling a bit low – COVID 19 devastates us with such heavy news, bad news each day. Some, for sure, feel endangered and they are worried about their families and friends. Others carry the heavy burden of the many in the hospitals -doctors and nurses, laboratory and office staffand the many maintenance personnel and cleaners – all carry the burden.

This is a very hard time – we really need good news; Yet I am sitting here, thinking of bright lights and listening to beautiful choral Christmas music.

Is this the best that I can do – is this all I can do? I am not sure but like the Magi, I follow the Star. These bring peace and joy to my heart. Some say this is just romanticism, but I have a gift of faith, I believe; I am comforted by the words of the Profit Isaiah.

And I take heed to John the Baptist’s call to change my life – to be better in the spirit of the Lord – for others. Can I bring comfort and joy to others? a telephone or video chat, a greeting, an email – with some beautiful pictures attached; a kind thought, a prayer; a forgiveness in my heart for those who have hurt me – and a prayer for them.

Using the style of Ignatian imagination:

  • I close my eyes and imagine myself walking through the wards of a crowded hospital 
  • I stop at one bed and another and talk for a few moments with the poor patient, perhaps an old person, a young mother, a crying child; and with each I pray to Jesus for healing and comfort and a Hail Mary.

You may also want to use this method:

Walking along the street and encountering many beggars who are in need; a little girl selling flower: can I visit a poor family with only a simple parol hanging at the door, no Belen. What do I say to these people – what do I do?

This is my offering, my time – taking time in prayer for others

I really don’t know how it works – but Jesus does –

A personal response to John’s call for change –        

Come,  Lord Jesus,  Come!

                  

Scripture from the New American Bible, Images from Google Images

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The Word, A Reflection and Prayer

CHRIST THE KING 2020

CHRIST THE KING 2020 (Kristong Hari), November 22, 2020

The Word

Matthew 2 1 When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.”

Matthew 25   31  “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, 32 and all the nations will be assembled before him.”

Picture4 The Word, A Reflection and Prayer

34 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. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.”

40 “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.”

Picture2 The Word, A Reflection and Prayer

Matthew  21  4 This happened so that what had been spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled:

5 Say to daughter Zion, “Behold, your king comes to you, meek and riding on an ass, and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.'”

John 18  36 Jesus answered [Pilate], “My kingdom does not belong to this world.”

John 19  2 And the soldiers wove a crown out of thorns and placed it on his head, and clothed him in a purple cloak, 3 and they came to him and said, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they struck him repeatedly.

Picture3 The Word, A Reflection and Prayer

John 19    14  … [Pilate] said to the Jews, “Behold, your king!” 15 They cried out, “Take him away, take him away! Crucify him!”

19 Pilate also had an inscription written and put on the cross. It read,

     “Jesus the Nazorean, the King of the Jews.”

A  REFLECTION  and  PRAYER

Brightness —  Light  —  Darkness —  Glory

A number of years ago, Father Ruben Tanseco and I were discussing themes for the Feast of Christ the King. (As you may know, Father Ruben passed to the Lord a month or so ago – may he be in peace.) We talked about the common image of Christ the King sitting on the magnificent throne crowned with gold and holding an orb and a scepter. Super glorious!

And he mentioned the image of Jesus standing there so much alone with the purple cape and a crown of thorns being presented by Pilate to the people – “This is your king!”  (You can see it on Google images.)

I have outlined a bit of this reality in the Scripture passages chosen above:

  • the Magi bringing wonderful gifts to a newborn King
  • how the great king will judge and reward
  • a king entering Jerusalem for the Passover festival – not a king riding in a chariot drawn by great horses and surrounded by well-armed soldiers –but a humble servant-king riding on a donkey
  • a dialogue with Pilate ending in a death sentence – but with the saving inscription above the lifeless victim – “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.”
  • finally, the glorious moment from the Book of Revelation as the king draws the generous of heart to himself

 =  =  = =  =  =  =  =  =  =  =  =  =  =  =  =  =  =  =  =  =  =  =  =  =  =   

As you can imagine, each of these small episodes are not for reading but for reflection and prayer.

Perhaps you can take five minutes for each text – imagining each scene in your own mind, being in the scene – by seeing, by hearing, by feeling;  participating – by speaking, by touching, by helping.

You can also pray over one episode each day this week – that would make for good daily prayer. We keep in mind that the journey of Jesus was of compassion and mercy, gentleness, healing and forgiveness.

Can we journey with Jesus? Can we do as he has done – compassion and mercy; gentleness, healing and forgiveness?

Pain and suffering are part of the journey – these we offer with the pain and suffering of Jesus.

Jesus Christ, our king, give us your grace for our lives!

Father Bill Kreutz SJ, Loyola House of Studies, Scripture from the New American Bible. (Images from Google)