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Feature Articles

Solemnity of Christ the King (Year A): Judgment, Love and Solidarity

Submitted by biblista on Sun, 2008-11-09 22:29.

When Pius XI instituted the "Solemn Feast of Christ the King", he called for men to look for the peace of Christ in the kingdom of Christ. He wrote

Let nations be reminded by the annual celebration of this feast that not only private individuals but also rulers and princes are bound to give public honor and obedience to Christ. It will call to their minds the thought of the last judgment, wherein Christ, who has been cast out of public life, despised, neglected and ignored, will most severely avenge these insults; for his kingly dignity demands that the State should take account of the commandments of God and of Christian principles, both in making laws and in administering justice, and also in providing for the young a sound moral education. (Quas primas, 32)

The feast therefore is a reminder that Christ the King identifies himself with those who are neglected by the State, emarginated from participating fully in the life of society and are deprived of those things required by their human dignity

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Matthew 25:31-46 Judging Over Sheeps and Goats

Submitted by alesmeralda on Sun, 2008-11-09 21:35.

At the climax of Eschatological Discourse in Matthew, Jesus speaks of the judgment of the Son of Man. It is a judgment on the "nations" and is therefore to be distinguished from the previous parables of judgment where members of the Matthaean community are targetted.

Advent Reading Guides

Advent (B), Sunday I

Be Watchful and Alert
The Gospel reading for the first Sunday of Advent (Year B) is taken from the eschatological discourse of Mark chapter 13. Jesus had entered Jerusalem as foretold by the prophet Malachi, he has cleansed it, and now announces its end. The Temple has become a symbol of Judah's religious status quo, of the pious hypocrisy of its leaders and the legalistic religiosity that puts holocausts and sacrifices above the demands of mercy. When the kingdom is finally established, this old order will be washed away as dross is cleansed by purifying fire. More...
Rend the Heavens and Come Down
Isaiah 63:7-64:11 is actually a prayer recited by an assembly that rises from an evaluation of a situation in the light of that assembly's conviction about itself and its relationship with God. The situation is post-exilic, characterized the poor condition of Jerusalem and by divisions in the community of Israel, the rejection of this particular assembly (are they the Levites that were supplanted by the Zadokite priests?) by the leaders of the community and the experience of the distance and silence of God Himself. More...

Maranatha!

The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church

Submitted by biblista on Sun, 2008-10-26 02:57.
The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church

The message of the Synod of Bishops is now available. You can find an English copy of the final document (not official, since the official one is in Latin) here. The document is entitled "The Word of God In The Life and Mission of the Church". This is a copy of the one found at ScriptureSynod.COM.

Pontifical Biblical Institute: 100 Years

Submitted by biblista on Mon, 2008-09-15 15:17.

Maybe I should now apply for a sabbatical in 2009. The Pontifical Biblical Institute will be celebrating its centenary that year and I think some of the activities will be interesting. I received a letter announcing the event just this morning when I went to my parents' place in Antipolo. R. P. Stephen Pisano, S. J. who was my professor in Textual Criticism is now the Rector of the Institute and the one in charge of Alumni Affairs signed the letter. He writes: