Just A Thought Or Two . . .
Every Person Must Welcome the Truth of God’s Love
November 24th, the feast of Christ the King, is the last Sunday in the liturgical year of the Church. Americans haven’t had many personal experiences with kings. The Mayflower passengers weren’t thrilled with the mandates of royalty. The Declaration of Independence, written 146 years later, let King George know that the colonists were no longer willing to be ruled by a monarchy thousands of miles away.
The religion classes were asked to write a job description for a king. Most had similar comments. Kings were all about ruling, authority, and power. Jesus, as Christ the King, doesn’t quite fit any of our “kingly” characteristics. Jesus wasn’t about power and authority. Jesus didn’t have a palace or royal guards. Jesus, whose birth was announced to the shepherds, ate with tax collectors, healed the sick, performed miracles, and spent his last breath promising a dying thief a place in paradise. Are these “kingly behaviors?”
During Holy Week we hear Pilate asking Jesus, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom does not belong to this world.” So Pilate said to Jesus, “Then you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say I am a king. For this reason I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”
In 1925, Pope Pius XI established the Feast of Christ the King. The world was in turmoil. The “Roaring 20’s” tried to hide ever-growing social problems. The rise of totalitarianism all across the world had many concerned. Oppressive dictatorships seemed to dominate the scene. Pope Pius XI wanted a new reality. He proclaimed, “The peace of Christ in the reign of Christ.” The Feast of Christ the King was to remind us that God, rather than any dictator, president, or prime minister is the true leader of heaven and earth. In the midst of wars, continued economic challenges, health care issues, and difficult relationships, the celebration of Christ the King simply says that the world is truly in God’s hands. That deserves our undivided attention,
As we end this liturgical year, our prayer must be a search for the voice of Jesus, the voice of love and truth in our lives. We have another chance to begin again. We will testify to the truth. We will follow those who lead us to our Savior.
Please join us for our Grandfriends Celebration on Wednesday, November 27th at 9:30 a.m. in the All Saints Catholic School gym. Hosted by the 6th and 7th Grade. A brunch follows this celebration.