My baby brother is gone. He is one of the 88,000 who will die of an alcohol-related death this year. He was the victim of a preventable disease. He could have been your neighbor, your friend, your altar server at Mass.
As we do every year on the last Sunday before Advent, this Sunday the universal church celebrates the Solemnity of Christ the King. It is a reminder that Jesus Christ reigns over all of creation. Considering that this life is marked by sin and suffering, the truth of Our Lord’s sovereignty brings us peace, for we are comforted knowing that just as Jesus Christ gained our salvation through the horror of the cross, He also brings the fulfillment of the Kingdom of God through the struggles and sorrows of this life.
This month, we celebrate the lives of those African-Americans who have made an imprint in church history. One such person is Venerable Pierre Toussaint, who taught that docility to the Holy Spirit can give us inspiration in life and enhance the culture.
Gospel commentary: Watch, marvel and carry
Our faith journey as Christians often feels like a steep, uphill climb. First, life is tough. It is filled with unexpected and unwanted challenges like illness, loss of a loved one, major frustrations at school or work, and difficult relationships. Second, faith in Jesus does not come as easily as we expect: it requires lots of effort; we are weak and find it hard to remain disciplined and selfless; and our world is increasingly replacing our Christian culture with values and perspectives that contradict the Gospel way of life.