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The liturgical year has made its final turn and will culminate on our patronal feast of Christ the King coming up next Sunday. This Sunday we are given readings that speak to the end of time, to the final fulfillment of God's plan for the world. These readings invite us to reflect on the ultimate victory of God, the hope that sustains us in the midst of trials, and the call to remain vigilant and faithful. As we approach the end of the liturgical year, the readings often turn our attention to the theme of eschatology (the “last things”). The first reading from the Book of Daniel speaks of a time of unprecedented suffering, a "time of distress such as never happened since nations first came into being.” This may sound ominous, even frightening. However, it is important to understand this passage in its broader context. In Daniel’s vision, this time of distress is followed by a glorious promise: "But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book. This promise is both a warning and a source of great comfort. While trials and challenges will come, and at times they may seem overwhelming, those who remain faithful to God will be delivered. The vision of eternal life in this passage reminds us that beyond the suffering of this world, there is a future of light and peace for those who have persevered. Just as Daniel’s audience was encouraged to trust in God’s ultimate victory, so too are we called to trust. In moments of personal or global suffering, we must remember that God’s final word is not suffering or death, but salvation and life. In the Gospel today, Jesus speaks about his Second Coming and the signs that will precede the end of the world. He uses vivid imagery of cosmic upheaval, with the sun darkened, the moon not giving its light, and stars falling from the sky. These apocalyptic signs remind us that the world as we know it will come to an end, but they also point to the ultimate arrival of the Son of Man in glory. Jesus assures us that, even though these things may seem frightening or mysterious, they are part of God's plan to bring about a new heaven and a new earth. The key message here is one of hope: Christ will return to gather his people, to judge the living and the dead, and to establish his kingdom of peace and justice. Jesus also emphasizes the importance of being ready: "Be on guard! Be alert!" (Mk 13:33). We are called to remain vigilant, living in faith and holiness, so that we can stand before Christ when he comes. This vigilance is not about predicting the exact time or date of Christ’s return, something that Jesus himself tells us is unknowable (Mk 13:32), but about living each day with the awareness that God is at work in our lives and in the world. The second reading from Hebrews shifts our focus to the person of Jesus Christ, the High Priest who, through his one perfect sacrifice, has secured our salvation. The author contrasts the repeated sacrifices of the Old Testament with Christ’s once-for-all offering. "By one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being consecrated (Heb. 10:14).” In the face of suffering and trials, this is the heart of our hope: that Christ’s sacrifice has conquered sin and death. We do not need to fear the end of the world or the judgment that will come, because Christ has already secured our place in God’s eternal kingdom. His sacrifice gives us confidence, not only in the life to come but also in the grace we receive in the here and now. We are reminded that because Christ has offered himself once for all, the final fulfillment of God’s plan for humanity has already been accomplished. As we await his return, we live in the light of this finished work, trusting in the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice for our salvation. As we approach the end of the liturgical year, today’s readings invite us to contemplate the final fulfillment of God’s promises. We are reminded that, no matter the trials or suffering we face in this life, God’s ultimate plan is one of victory and salvation. In the midst of our struggles, we can take comfort in the fact that Christ has already triumphed over sin and death. His return will bring about the fulfillment of all things, and those who remain faithful to him will share in his glory. Let us therefore live with hope and vigilance. We do not know when the end will come, but we know that it will be the beginning of something far greater — the full revelation of God’s kingdom. As we wait, let us be faithful, let us be alert, and let us trust in the eternal sacrifice of Christ, who has secured our salvation. November 22 nd – St. Cecilia, Patroness of Musicians This week the Church commemorates the feast of St. Cecilia, patroness of musicians. In light of the upcoming feast, I wish to extend my gratitude to all who are involved in music ministry here at CTK. Music ministry can be one of the most challenging and underappreciated ministries in parish life; I hope that we all realize how blessed our parish is with such a wonderful and diverse group of dedicated folks in this ministry. Thank you to all who help us to lift our hearts and minds to the things of Heaven through the gift of music in our Masses and other celebrations. Parish Breakfast for the Parish Feast Once again the ladies of the Altar and Rosary Society are graciously hosting a breakfast for everyone after the 8:00AM and 10:00AM Masses next weekend, November 23/24, in celebration of our patronal feast. All are welcome! Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead! Father Chris House

This Sunday’s readings invite us to reflect on themes of generosity, trust, and the true value of our offerings before God. The readings highlight the difference between outward appearances and the deeper intentions of the heart, particularly in the way we give of ourselves, whether in material gifts, time, or service. Jesus, in the Gospel, points to the humble, sacrificial giving of a poor widow as an example of what true generosity looks like. In our first reading from the First Book of Kings, we encounter the story of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath. During a severe famine, Elijah arrives at the widow's home and asks for water and bread. The widow is preparing to make her final meal for herself and her son, as she believes that they are about to die from hunger. But Elijah asks her to first make a small cake for him, promising that if she does, her jar of flour and her jug of oil will not run out until the famine ends. This story illustrates deep trust in God, even in a moment of scarcity and despair. The widow, having little left, still chooses to offer what she has. Her generosity is not out of abundance, but out of trust that God will provide. Her actions show us that true generosity comes from faith in God's providence, not from our own comfort or security. She is a model of a sacrificial trust that God will take care of her, even when the odds are stacked against her. In Mark’s Gospel, Jesus observes the behavior of the people in the temple. He points out the difference between those who give out of their surplus and the widow who gives her last two coins, her entire livelihood. While others are putting in large sums from their abundance, the widow’s offering is small in the eyes of the world, but in the eyes of God, it is far greater because it is all she has. Jesus commends the widow because she has given everything she has to live on. Her offering is not just a financial one, but a spiritual one. She places her trust in God, knowing that He alone is the true source of her security. Unlike the scribes, who love to be seen as religious by displaying their wealth, the widow’s quiet, humble offering speaks volumes about her faith and love for God. In this context, Jesus teaches us that God does not measure the size of our gifts in the same way that the world does. What matters to God is the heart behind the gift. The widow’s offering was sacrificial; she gave from her need, not her excess. It challenges us to consider how we offer our own gifts, not just materially, but with our time, talents, and energy. Finally, our reading from the Letter to the Hebrews provides a profound insight into the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The author contrasts the repeated sacrifices in the Old Testament with the once-and-for-all sacrifice of Christ. Jesus entered the heavenly sanctuary, offering His own blood for the redemption of humanity, and by His sacrifice, He has secured eternal salvation for all who trust in Him. Just as the widow’s offering in the Gospel was an act of total self-giving, Jesus’ sacrifice was the ultimate act of self-giving. He gave His life for the salvation of the world. And unlike the priests of the Old Testament, whose sacrifices were repeated and ultimately ineffective, Jesus’ sacrifice was final and sufficient. It opened the way to eternal life, reconciling humanity with God. The comparison between the widow’s offering and Christ’s sacrifice calls us to examine our own lives. Are we willing to offer ourselves fully to God? Our Lord does not ask for perfection or wealth, but for hearts that are willing to give of themselves completely. His grace enables us to make these sacrifices in faith, trusting that, like the widow of Zarephath and the widow in the temple, God will provide what we need. So, what does all of this mean for us today? In a world that often values power, wealth, and success, the Scriptures today challenge us to think about the true meaning of generosity. We are invited to ask ourselves: How do we offer our gifts to God? Are we giving out of our abundance, or are we willing to give even when it costs us something? Our giving is not just about money—it is about offering our time, our talents, our hearts in service to God and others. Do we trust in God’s providence? Just as the widow of Zarephath trusted that God would provide, are we willing to trust God with the little that we have, knowing that He will take care of us? Are we living sacrificially? Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross shows us what true love and generosity look like. As His disciples, we are called to imitate that sacrificial love in our daily lives. Let us reflect on the example of the widow in today’s Gospel. May we, like her, offer our lives fully to God, trusting that He will provide for all our needs. Let us remember that true generosity is not about the quantity of our gifts, but about the quality of our hearts. In giving ourselves to God, we open ourselves to receive the fullness of His grace. Let us pray that, like the widow, we may always trust in God's providence and be willing to give of ourselves, even when it seems difficult. May we offer our lives as a living sacrifice, knowing that in God's eyes, even the smallest act of love and faith can have eternal significance. Mass of Remembrance – Thank you Once again we celebrated a beautiful Mass of Remembrance on All Souls Day, offering the best that we can, the holy Mass, for our loved ones and parishioners who have gone before us in faith. Thank you to the many volunteers who made it happen! Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead! Father Chris House