November 30, 2015

Dear parishioners, With the Solemnity of Christ the King we conclude the liturgical year. Therefore, next weekend is already the First Sunday of Advent. This Solemnity is a reminder for us that Jesus Christ is the King of heaven above and earth below. Despite the apocalyptic signs we see taking place before our very eyes, such as wars, persecution of Christian, prohibitions to freely express our faith and any expression of evil, we know the world follows the wisdom of the Divine Creator, and it is under his Divine providence. I would like to share with you a short reflection on Christ’s Kingship being connected to his dying on the cross. People have the tendency to trust more in earthly kingdoms. We know by history that any earthly kingdom perishes with time. It does not matter how powerful it might be; every earthly kingdom will face its own declining. Not so with Christ’s kingdom. His kingdom is not based on dominating power; rather it is based on the weakness of self-giving. His dying on the cross was an open gate for us and the return to His eternal kingdom. This heroic act of Jesus on the cross took place with the sole purpose of saving humanity from the bondage of sin and evil. It is the most sublime act of love and compassion from God to humanity. The cross, therefore, is not a symbol of death, rather the symbol of self-giving of life. There is no greater love than giving one’s life for the sake of others. Jesus dying on the cross was not an act against human life. There are at least three reasons which indicate to us that the cross is the symbol of life. First, Jesus did not express His desire to die, rather to do the Father’s will. Second, His dying on the cross is the open gate for us to share in his eternal life. Third, Jesus dying on the cross is an act of love for humanity so that we may have eternal life. The love of the cross is a love which experiences suffering and agony in order to reach plenitude of life. God bless you all. Fr. Lopez 

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