This weekend we celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King. It was Pope Pius XI who brought this Feast into the liturgy in 1925 in order to bring Christ, his rule and Christian values, back into the lives of Christians, back into society and back into the political arena. The focus was expanded by Pope Paul VI in the early 1960’s and given the title, “Jesus Christ, King of the Universe.” So, who is the King we celebrate today?
He is a Servant King. A King like no other.
Kings are born in castles or palaces surrounded by the finest; Jesus was born in a stable surrounded by shepherds and farm animals.
Kings are raised in the splendor of a royal court; Jesus was raised in the small town of Nazareth, a carpenter by trade.
Kings tend to the affairs of the kingdom and building up the palace treasury; Jesus tended to the affairs of the people especially the poor and the sick and the outcasts of society.
Kings die in the royal bed chamber surrounded by the royal court; Jesus died on a cross surrounded by two thieves.
But Jesus did one thing that no other King could ever do. Our Faith teaches us that he rose from the dead and by doing so gave each of us a share in the greatest treasure, the gift of eternal life. Jesus’ legacy is not written in all the great pyramids of Egypt, nor all the great palaces or castles of Europe. It is written in a far more precious site, a far more important location---it is written in our hearts.
So, what does it mean to follow Jesus the Servant King? First and foremost, it means we are called to live in his presence and sharing his abiding love and mercy to everyone especially to those whom our society considers the least important; to treat each person with dignity, love, mercy and compassion as he did. It means to be willing to fight the injustice we encounter on a day-to-day basis, and, yes, even to give up our very lives, if necessary, so that one day Jesus will say to us, “today you will be with me in Paradise.” Amen?
May Jesus Bless each and every one of you.
2021
July 4
Our Call to Be Prophets
June 6
Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
May 30
Parish Gathering re Altar Enhancement
May 16
Ascension Sunday
May 2
Bearing Good Fruit
April 18
The Law of Moses, the Prophets, and Psalms
April 11
Divine Mercy Sunday
March 7
Fasting as a Pillar of Lent
February 21
Lent as a New Beginning
February 14
Lent Invitation from Fr. Lawrence
February 7
Preparing for Lent
January 17
Discerning God's Call
January 3
Epiphany
2020
December 20
Blessed Are You Among Women
December 6
Waiting in Joyful Hope
November 15
Living Our Talents
November 1
Updates from Father Lawrence: Moving back into the Church
October 17/18
Loving Your Neighbor at Election Time
October 10/11
The Heavenly Banquet
September 12/13
Forgiveness and Mercy
August 15/16
Hunger for the Eucharist
August 8/9
Trusting Faith in God
August 1/2
Invitation to 54 Day Rosary Novena
July 25/26
Gratitude from Fr. Lawrence on Installation
July 18/19
I Am Honored to Be Your Pastor
July 11/12
Enoying the Harvest
June 27/28
Living Our Baptism as Disciples
June 20/21
Welcoming Bishop Barber
June 13/14
Corpus Christi
June 6/7
An Invitation
May 23/24
Ascension
May 16/17
Alpha Is Coming
May 9/10
How Long, O Lord?
May 2/3
Engaging You amid 'Shelter in Place'
April 18/19
Divine Mercy Sunday
April 11/12
Easter Sunday
April 4/5
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
March 28/29
The Raising of Lazarus
March 21/22
The Man Born Blind