Sermon Cloud

At some level, everyone likes a story with a happy ending. Whether it's fairy tales, old western movies, or the most complicated business transaction, the trials and tribulations along the way all seem to be overshadowed if the story ends up on a happy note.

This weekend, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Christ the King. The story of our salvation, begun with the creation accounts in Genesis, and including the expulsion of the Jews in Exodus, their quest for the promised land, the preaching of the prophets, the birth of our Saviour and the existence of our Church, is an ongoing epic which we are all part of. This story continues each day of our lives, and will only end when the prophet Daniel's vision is fulfilled. The Son of Man will receive dominion, glory and kingship, and all peoples, nations and languages will serve him. (Dn 7:14).

Each year, the Church celebrates this feast as a reminder that we are still pilgrims in a foreign land, and that our ultimate goal is union with God in Christ. The liturgical year is structured so that we celebrate this Solemnity at the end of the year, while each new year begins with Advent, the period of looking forward to the birth of our Saviour who was born and came into the world to testify to the truth (Jn 18:37)

We live our lives in hopeful anticipation of the day when Jesus will assume his kingship. In the meanwhile, we ourselves are the living stones with which the Church is built; our lives of service are the continuing legacy of Jesus' work here on earth. We give glory and honor to him since he is the author of our lives, and it is to him that we are all destined. Let us therefore celebrate, giving thanks to him who has called us to be his people by giving freely of ourselves each day for the sake of his kingdom.

Today's homily too has a happy ending. Please come and celebrate our feastday with us after this mass. There will be a reception held in the sacristy where you can share a cup of coffee, a piece of our 'birthday cake' and see first-hand the advances we are making in the world of technology. Did you know that we are the first Catholic parish in the diocese to offer podcasts - digital recordings of homilies which can be accessed on the web? Come see for yourself how it works.