On the Back Porch
Reading, pondering and studying God’s Word is sometimes best done “on the back porch.” Each week we will try to offer something for you and your “back porch time.”
34th Sunday, Year B – Christ the King
What We Celebrate
This Sunday is the Solemnity of Christ the King of the Universe and the 34th and final Sunday of Ordinary Time and lectionary cycle B. The gospel select might strike one as odd, in that the Sunday we celebrate Christ as King, we find Jesus on trial before Pontius Pilate. Then again, Pilate’s opening question is “Are you the King of the Jews?” What follows is a discussion about the meaning of the Kingdom of God and exactly what kind of “king” Jesus will be.
As always, a lot going on in the gospel reading. Grab a cup of your favorite beverage and take a moment on the back porch with the Word of God.
Full Text of the Sunday Readings
Detailed Commentary
“Christ before Pilate” by Duccio di Buoninsegna | Museo dell’Opera metropolitana del Duomo, Siena | PD-US
Christ the King
In the two videos below, Bishop Robert Barron offers some thoughts on the meaning of Christ the King. The first video is a short 1.5 minute reflection. In the second video, Bishop Barron has an extended discussion about the meaning of Christ as King of the Universe. The second video starts several minutes into the film in order to begin with the pertinent content. Enjoy!
1st Sunday of Advent, Year C
What We Celebrate
This is the 1st Sunday of Advent. The readings are ones are focused on the “comings” of Jesus. While we are prone to think of Jesus coming at Christmas, the tone and tenor of the readings are quiet apocalyptic. Readings more attuned to the 2nd coming at the end of the ages – an especially suitable reading one week following the Solemnity of Christ the King of the Universe. “The days are coming, says the LORD, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and Judah” (Jer 33:14) This speaks to the promise of a Savior (Christmas) and when all are made whole (2nd coming)
As always, a lot going on in the gospel reading. Grab a cup of your favorite beverage and take a moment on the back porch with the Word of God.
Full Text of the Sunday Readings
Detailed Commentary
The Great Day of His Wrath | John Martin, 1851 | Tate Gallery, London | PD-US
The Three Coming of Christ
Advent is not simple the gateway to Christmas. Advent is a season in which we recall and celebrate the One who has come as Jesus of Nazareth, the One who will come again as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and the One who knocks at our door, to whom we pray now that He come into our hearts and lives. Take a moment to watch the video. Enjoy!
2nd Sunday of Advent, Year C
What We Celebrate
This is the 2nd Sunday of Advent as Luke locates Infancy Narrative in the flow of world history. The focus of the narrative is John the Baptist who “went throughout (the) whole region of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Luke 3:3) John is the actor fulfilling the promise of Isaiah that one would come from the wilderness proclaiming the coming of the Messiah.
As always, a lot going on in the gospel reading. Grab a cup of your favorite beverage and take a moment on the back porch with the Word of God.
Full Text of the Sunday Readings
Detailed Commentary
Canva/Pexels
3rd Sunday of Advent, Year C
What We Celebrate
This is the 3rd Sunday of Advent and the focus of the narrative continues to be on John the Baptist who “went throughout (the) whole region of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Luke 3:3) Hordes of people are coming out to him and there are two things of note: (a) the location – where Joshua and the Exodus people crossed into the Holy Land, and (b) the people are coming from everywhere – including Jerusalem. They recognize the need for conversion and making changes in their lives. John is repeatedly asked “What must I do?” His answer was unique and yet communal for each group. It raises a good question for us…. what must we do to be ready to receive the coming of Christ?
As always, a lot going on in the gospel reading. Grab a cup of your favorite beverage and take a moment on the back porch with the Word of God.
Full Text of the Sunday Readings
Detailed Commentary
John the Baptist Preaching | Pietre Lastman | 1219 | Chicago Museum of Art | PD-US
Gaudete Sunday
This is Gaudete Sunday, the third Sunday of Advent in the Christian liturgical calendar. The name Gaudete means “rejoice” in Latin and comes from the first word of the entrance antiphon for that day: “Gaudete in Domino semper” (Rejoice in the Lord always) from Philippians 4:4. This Sunday is a time of joy and a break from the penitential tone of Advent, symbolized by the rose-colored candle on the Advent wreath and the optional rose-colored vestments worn by clergy. It reminds the faithful of the joyful anticipation of Christ’s coming at Christmas, as well as His presence among us now. This celebration contrasts with the more somber tone of the other Sundays in Advent, which are typically marked by a focus on repentance and preparation for Christ’s arrival.
4th Sunday of Advent, Year C
What We Celebrate
This is the 4th Sunday of Advent and now the scene shifts to St. Luke’s Infancy Narrative, specifically the event we know as the Annunciation – “During those days Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth” (Luke 1:39-40).
While we might not think of undertaking a journey as being that remarkable, we need to be mindful that as a young girl, Mary would not normally have left her home without accompaniment—either locally or to travel some seventy miles from Nazareth to the hill country around Jerusalem. Until her marriage, a young girl lived in the confines and security of her family home. It is also noteworthy that Mary’s journey is not in obedience to the angel, who gave no such command.
The reason for Mary’s visit to her relative Elizabeth can be found in an earlier proclamation of the Angel Gabriel: “And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.” (Luke 1:36-37). And so Mary sets out. What happens when she arrives is turning point in Salvation history.
As always, a lot going on in the gospel reading. Grab a cup of your favorite beverage and take a moment on the back porch with the Word of God.
Full Text of the Sunday Readings
Detailed Commentary
The Visitation | Giotto | Lower Church of the Basilica of St. Francis | Assisi, Italy | PD-US
The Ark of the New Covenant
There is a scene in 2 Samuel when King David is bringing the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem.”Then David came dancing before the LORD with abandon..David and all the house of Israel were bringing up the ark of the LORD with shouts of joy and sound of horn.” (2 Sam 6:14-15). In its own way that scene is repeated in our Gospel for the 4th Sunday of Advent. As Mary, pregnant with Jesus, comes onto Elizabeth’s house, “For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy“. John’s leap acknowledges the significance of Mary as Theotokos, or “God-bearer.” Just as David danced before the Ark of the Covenant, John’s leap parallels this joyful recognition of God’s presence in Mary’s womb, signaling the sacredness of Mary’s role in carrying the Messiah.