The season of Advent marks the beginning of a new liturgical year, a time of hope, expectation, and spiritual renewal. It invites us to look forward—to the coming of Christ at Christmas, but also to His second coming at the end of time. In today’s Gospel, Jesus calls us to stay awake and be ready. His words are not meant to frighten us but to awaken us from spiritual complacency.
On November 22, 2025, Dehon House in Quezon City marked its annual Benefactors’ Day, a cherished occasion dedicated to thanking the many individuals who support the mission of the Priests of the Sacred Heart (SCJ). The gathering was filled with prayer, gratitude, and a renewed sense of shared purpose.The celebration began with a concelebrated Mass at 5:00 PM, presided by Fr. Patrick Gutib, SCJ. He replaced Fr. Francis Pupkowski, SCJ, who for personal reasons could not be present this year. His absence was warmly acknowledged, and the community remembered him in prayer.
On this final Sunday of the liturgical year, the Church invites us to contemplate a most paradoxical image of kingship. The Gospel from Luke 23:35–43 presents not a majestic ruler seated upon a golden throne, but Jesus hanging on the Cross, crowned with thorns, mocked by soldiers, and ridiculed by those who fail to see His true glory. Yet it is precisely there—on the Cross—that His kingship is revealed in its deepest meaning: a kingship of love, forgiveness, and mercy.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks words that might unsettle us: “When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified.” He foretells the destruction of the Temple and the many trials His followers will face — wars, earthquakes, famines, and persecutions. These are not merely predictions of events long past; they are reminders that the Christian journey has always been marked by testing, uncertainty, and perseverance.
Today we celebrate the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, the cathedral of the Bishop of Rome—the Pope. Often called the “Mother and Head of all Churches”, it symbolizes the unity of the whole Church. This feast reminds us that the Church is not merely a building of stone, but a living community built upon Christ Himself.
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