1st Sunday of Advent (Year A) Dec. 1, (Isaiah 2:1-5; Psalm 122; Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:37-44)

The image of beating swords and spears into ploughshares and pruning hooks is both beautiful and painful. It is beautiful in that it represents the heartfelt yearning of humanity for millennia for a time when nations no longer resort to war. The pain lies in the realization that we are ever so far from this state of harmony and peace.

There has always been an innate and healthy tension between theology and catechesis, between what’s happening in theology departments in universities and the church pew. Theologians and bishops are often not each other’s favourite people. And that’s understandable. Why?

This past weekend I re-read A Grief Observed, C.S. Lewis’s personal account of dealing with the death of his wife from cancer. I searched the book for some words of comfort to help deal with my own pain at the loss of a family member.

Christ the King (Year C) Nov. 24 (2 Samuel 5:1-3; Psalm 122; Colossians 1:12-20; Luke 23:-35-43)

The historian Lord Acton observed that “All power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely.” A thorough study of history or a perusal of the newspaper offers convincing proof. When human beings are in a position to exercise absolute power over others without accountability disaster usually follows. No one should have too much power or be untouchable.

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) Nov. 17 (Malachi 4:1-2; Psalm 98; 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12; Luke 21:5-19)

The world is not always noted for its justice or life for its fairness. Often it appears that the righteous suffer or lose out while the wicked thrive and get ahead. Hopelessness, frustration and disillusionment can make even compassionate and non-judgmental individuals at times console themselves with thoughts of cosmic justice and retribution. It would be nice to see the nasty and wicked of our world get their comeuppance. Of course there is always the assumption that we are not on that list!

Many of us, I suspect, have heard snippets of an interview that Pope Francis did for a series of Jesuit publications, including America, where, among other things, he suggested that we might be wise to not always emphasize the moral issues around abortion, gay marriage and contraception in our conversations. That’s, of course, the phrase that most caught the attention of the media, but the whole interview is remarkable for its candor and includes a whole range of thoughts that help give us a sense of how Francis intends to colour his papacy. Here are a few of his thoughts, in his own words:

Recently I received an e-mail from a person who died many months ago.

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) Nov. 10 (2 Maccabees 7:1-2, 7, 9-14; Psalm 17; 2 Thessalonians 2:16-3:5; Luke 20:27-38)

Suffering, persecution and chaotic situations often give birth to new theological insights. The afterlife was not part of the belief system of Israel for the greater part of its early history. If one were faithful to the commandments and law of God blessings would follow in this life. After death a person lived on through their descendants and the memory of the community. Fidelity to the covenant led to prosperity, happiness and long life.

“Home is where we start from.” T.S. Eliot wrote that and it describes an experience that can be felt both as a freedom and a heartache. I cite my own case:

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Oct. 29 (Sirach 35:15-17, 20-2; Psalm 34; 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18; Luke 18:9-14)

Life is not fair and the world is not a just place — or so it appears. We can think of countless cases of people appearing to slither, bob and weave through the justice system by means of sharp lawyers and legal contortions. Money and power is often the leverage that tips the scales in their favour. Often religious language is the icing on this disheartening cake. Small wonder that cynicism and disillusionment have taken up residence in so many hearts and minds.