INSPECTIO CORDIS Examining the depth of one’s heart with St. Stanislaus Papczyński “Our weekly goal is to allow Jesus to gaze into your heart and teach you self-examination, leading you to a more fruitful reception of Holy Communion at Sunday Mass, where there is a true encounter of our hearts with His Sacred Heart.” Prepare for Sunday Mass with our Founder Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe– Year B November 24, 2024 coming. Certainly, those who prefer sin to His love will flee from His face. Yet, the prophecy here refers to the lamentation that arises from contrition. We will “see him” whom we have “pierced,” who no longer is subject so suffering but is “coming amid the clouds.” While we rightly want to feel joy upon seeing the Lord Jesus, our first, gut-wrenching reaction might be that of mourning our sins. He is the one who “loves us and has freed us from our sins,” and so convicts us of the ways that we yet remain bound to our sins. Mass begins with this lament, as we gaze upon the crucified Lord and ask for forgiveness in the penitential rite. Then, when He “who is to come” does indeed come in Holy Communion, our hearts are purified to receive Him with joyful love. To what sins do you remain bound? Where is your heart in mourning? 2. “one like a Son of man…” We are accustomed to the idea of the Incarnation, that the Son has become man. Yet, in Daniel’s vision that precedes this first reading, the kingly rulers of empires were compared to ferocious animals: a crocodile, an eagle, a lion, a leopard, etc. The manner that the pagans exercised their dominion was through force of arms. Yet, for the People of God, a ruler comes who wields “dominion, glory, and kingship” not by violence but by obedience to God the Father. He shares our human condition, and so exalts – rather than dominates – us by enabling us to share in His kingship. Today, too, we witness the drastic difference between modern political and economic arenas – that depend upon competition and conquest – and the Gospel – which depends upon humility and faith. Even though it seems we may be outmatched, lacking in resources and people, we have the assurance that “His dominion is an everlasting dominion…” He comes today, not to be seated upon a heavenly throne, but to reign in your heart through the Eucharist. Where do you experience the power of “beasts” in your life? Where do you resort to strength or competition? How can you live by humility and faith in His Word? 3. “Your throne stands firm from of old.” The world is filled with upheavals: one empire gives way to another, one political party loses to another. Yet, the Lord remains on His throne, “in splendor robed” and “girt about with strength.” If we watch the news, we may be emotionally captured by worry and fear, because we see how unstable life is. Even more, we see how the Church in the western world suffers more from outside and from inside. Yet, our firm foundation is the fact that, over all these events, His throne is firm. Why He permits so much evil to transpire remains a mystery this side of the final judgment. But He is sovereign, and nothing can thwart His plan of salvation. Our task is to not let worry and anxiety usurp His throne Before Holy Communion 1. “All the peoples of the earth will lament him.” This line may sound like the peoples will regret His
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