Today is the feast (solemnity) of Christ the King.
Since late last November we’ve been journeying through the liturgical year primarily through the Gospel of Mark and some of John. Today is the last Sunday in that journey.
This feast marks the celebration of Christ as the king of the universe, and our king too. Today’s readings are all about kingship, even the second reading, which is, untypically, from the book of Revelation. I suppose that shouldn’t surprise me since we’re at the end if our liturgical year and we’re hearing a variety of readings tied to the Second Coming of Christ.
In that selection from Revelation we hear that Jesus “has made us into a kingdom, priests for His God and Father.” I think we often forget, or look away from that responsibility of being priests. We are kingdom builders working out in the world more than inside the Church. This priestly role of the laity is to carry on the work Christ started when He was here in human form.
What kind of a kingdom are we building? I’m glad you asked. In one of the most profound of the preface prayers today’s tells us. We are to build a “kingdom of truth and life; a kingdom of holiness and grace; a kingdom of justice, love, and peace.” How do you think we’re doing?
In a moment of great hope, as the priest is carving into the new paschal candle at the Easter Vigil, in front of the fire, he says ” Christ yesterday and today; the beginning and the end; the Alpha and the Omega. All time belongs to Him; and all the ages. To Him be glory and power; through every age and for ever. Amen.”
This kingdom building isn’t something that happens overnight. Our King started it and for generations our ancestors have carried it forward, and now us. We know that in the end God is going to have His way. We just have to have faith in Him, His Son, and their Holy Spirit, and in their ability to lift us up above our fallen nature and make us kingdom builders as well.
So, let us thank God for all He has done for us and rededicate ourselves to be good subjects of Christ our King, doing our best to carry out the mission we’ve been given.
That’s it for now, Thanks for reading.
I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Connie and I will be hosting our family, except for one grandchild who cannot be with us Thursday, but we’re looking forward to having everyone here again.
Peace, Bob
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