I saw 144,000 people (Revelation 14:1-3, 4-5)

Teachers  of high school freshmen tell you that one of the first things a new freshman does is to get something with the school name on it, for example, a jacket or a t-shirt.

Wearing something with the school name on it is a statement of allegiance. It means the students’ loyalties belong to the school whose name they bear on their person.

This is the point behind the 144,000 people in today’s reading, who bear the name of the Lamb on their foreheads. It’s a statement of their allegiance.

But the 144,000 do more than bear the name of the Lamb. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They not only proclaim their allegiance but reflect it in their lives.

How clearly does our daily life reflect our allegiance to the Lamb?

“Wherever you go, I will go…Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.”

fr everett corvera, corvera everett, everet corvera

Jesus praises a widow’s gift (Luke 21:1-4)

  The parents of a small boy asked him to give blood for his critically ill brother. When the boy cried, his parents assured him that giving blood was quite painless. But the boy continued to cry. The parents were surprised because, normally, the boy was brave about such things. Finally the boy got himself together, managed a smile, and agreed.

After the transfusion the boy was quiet. His mother hugged him and said, “Now, that wasn’t so bad, was it?” The boy shook his head and said to his mother, “How soon will I die?” Only then did the mother realize that the boy thought that giving his blood meant that he’d die in place of his brother.

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This gospel reading invites us to ask ourselves: how generous are we in the giving of our resources, as the widow gave, and in the giving of ourselves, as the boy gave?

Today’s reading invites us to pray: Lord, help us give and not count the cost.

fr everett corvera, corvera everett, everet corvera

Jesus talks about the kingdom (Luke 21:29-33)

  Ancient Greek philosophers believed that history followed a cyclic pattern. In other words, they believed that history repeated itself. Every 3,000 years of so some great disaster wiped out the world. After the disaster, human history began all over again, repeating itself.

Christians believe just the opposite. They believe history follows a linear pattern.

In other words, history moves in a straight line. It has a definite direction, a definite goal.

History’s goal is the final coming of God’s kingdom, which Jesus set in motion but left to us to complete.

fr everett corvera, corvera everett, everet corvera

I saw the dead (Revelations 20:1-4, 11-21:2)

  In London’s Westminster Abbey, there’s a tiny chapel called St George’s Chapel. It was built as a memorial to Londoners who lost their lives during the air raids of World War II.

Inside the chapel are four large books. These books contain the names of over 60,000 air-raid victims. One book lies open and on it shines a light illuminating the page of names.

Each day the page is turned, revealing a new set of names. As you read them you have no way of knowing whether the person whose name you are reading was rich or poor, young or old, handsome of ugly, black, white or brown.

Nor dies it matter. All that matters is what each person became in the course of living his or her life on earth.

fr everett corvera

Daniel prophesies good news (Daniel 7:15-27)

  These words, on a plaque at Plymouth Rock in Massachusetts, describe the Pilgrims who came ashore there:

“Here, under cover of darkness, the fast dwindling company laid their dead, leveling the earth above them lest the Indians learn how many were the graves. History records no nobler venture for faith and freedom than this Pilgrim band.”

The same could be said of every member of that countless army of believers who have remained true to their faith during the many religious persecutions that have dyed the pages of history red.

St. Michael's Parish, North Melbourne

I saw the dead (Revelations 20:1-4, 11-21:2)

  In London’s Westminster Abbey, there’s a tiny chapel called St George’s Chapel. It was built as a memorial to Londoners who lost their lives during the air raids of World War II.

Inside the chapel are four large books. These books contain the names of over 60,000 air-raid victims. One book lies open and on it shines a light illuminating the page of names.

Each day the page is turned, revealing a new set of names. As you read them you have no way of knowing whether the person whose name you are reading was rich or poor, young or old, handsome of ugly, black, white or brown.

Nor dies it matter. All that matters is what each person became in the course of living his or her life on earth.

st. michael's parish, remuera, auckland new zealand

Jesus talks about the kingdom (Luke 21:29-33)

  Ancient Greek philosophers believed that history followed a cyclic pattern. In other words, they believed that history repeated itself. Every 3,000 years of so some great disaster wiped out the world. After the disaster, human history began all over again, repeating itself.

Christians believe just the opposite. They believe history follows a linear pattern.

In other words, history moves in a straight line. It has a definite direction, a definite goal.

History’s goal is the final coming of God’s kingdom, which Jesus set in motion but left to us to complete.

st. michael's parish, remuera, auckland new zealand

“Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.” -John 16:24

“Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.” -John 16:24

When we want something, all we have to do is ask. Right? Yet so often it seems like God doesn’t hear all of our requests. Our desires, for the most part, are with good intentions and reasoning behind them. They’re things we genuinely think will bring our lives happiness. Jesus wants nothing more than for our hearts to be joyful… so why doesn’t he make it happen right when we ask him to?

Do you remember when you were little, and there would be times that you saw a toy or some fun activity that just made your eyes light up and you wanted it with all your heart? You insisted to Mom and Dad that you would be the happiest kid ever if only you had it.

And then your parents told you 'maybe later,' or 'don’t count on it.' That answer was crushing to hear, because your little heart was so sincere in thinking it would bring all the happiness you need; that it was the best idea ever. The funny thing is, as time goes by and we grow older, we realize that our parents were right to not fulfill that request that we once held onto so tightly. They saw how it wasn’t something that would bring us true joy.

God knows what’s best for us even better than a parent could know. Matthew 6:8 beautifully expresses how “Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him". We ask and plead for these desires on our hearts, and it’s upsetting when God doesn’t seem to follow through. But it’s in these moments that we have to ask ourselves, 'Am I expecting and wanting something to happen that’s my will, or God’s?' If we’re constantly asking God to simply fill in the needs and gaps of our ideal plan for ourselves, are our hearts truly being open to the ultimate happiness that God has planned for each of us?

But we can’t let the fear of being told 'no, that’s not for you right now,' hold us back from asking our Heavenly Father for what’s on our hearts. Don’t be afraid to tell him that you need him. He cherishes when you share the innermost desires of your heart with him. But God is a gentleman: he won’t barge in and take over without your consent. He patiently and sweetly waits for the softest whisper from you asking for him. Pray today for an open heart that’s willing to receive the things God knows will bring ultimate joy and happiness.