Christ the King: 23/24 November 2024

When Pope Pius XI instituted this feast of Christ the King for the universal Church in 1925 - Christians in many parts of the world were facing grave difficulties.
    In Mexico, the Church was being persecuted:  church property was being seized, religious orders were being outlawed, and public displays of faith were forbidden.
    There was the rise of National Socialism which became Nazism in Germany – and atheistic Communism in the recently formed Soviet Union.
    In this country there was the rise of materialism, consumerism, and the biggest growth of the Ku Klux Klan promoting racism since the end of the Civil War.
    Pope Pius wanted this feast to show the deplorable consequences produced when individuals and governments rebelled against and rejected the Gospel.
    Godless governments, he said, are always anti-life governments which emphasized power over peace.
    The state over the individual.
    And the censor and persecution of religion.
    Pope Pius wanted to strengthen and encourage Catholics facing persecution – hopefully allowing them to continue to work for the spread of Christ’s reign, despite hostilities.


    This feast is also to act as a reminder to all Catholics – that amidst all the trials of life – faith can and will sustain us in the most difficult moments of life - and faith can transform our fallen world into the Kingdom of God– if we LET values of the kingdom reign in our lives.
    On this feast – the last Sunday of this liturgical year – we should consider in the end – what really matters – is not our own status –or it’s  not to impress those around us – but whether in the end we have allowed Christ to reign as king in our hearts, minds, and wills.
    In the Gospel – we heard Pilate ask Jesus:  are you a king?  Notice that Jesus does not answer the question directly. . .
 because like the question posed to his disciples several weeks ago:  who do you say that I am?  – This is a question that each of us has to answer for ourselves. . . is Jesus a king?  If we answer, yes - it determines the course of our lives – a course that Pilate rejected.
    But on another level – what kept Pilate from acknowledging Jesus as a king – was his – PRIDE.  Pride keeps everyone from the truth about Jesus – because pride does not acknowledge a king outside of one’s self.
    Pride says:  I need to be the one in charge.  I need to wield the power over myself and others.  I determine what truth is in my life.

    This type of pride is a rebellion and rejection of God – the sort of rebellion and rejection that leads to broken friendships and families – of persecution and the belittling of others.  History shows this over and over.  God-less-ness leads to self-destruction and violence toward others.
    But pride can be shattered – and it must be – in order to belong to the kingdom of truth and freedom, of peace and justice.  A kingdom where all people are raised up to a new hope.
    The changing of the liturgical seasons are always a good time to do some self-examination:  to ask ourselves is selfishness, pleasure, control, pride, neglect – reigning in our lives – or are our hearts and lives filled with generosity, self-control, humility, prayer?  
    So this week – I encourage you to ready yourself for Advent – which begins next Sunday.  
Plan additional prayer time and time for spiritual reading.  Step it up when it comes to acts of mercy and charity.  Maybe make it to daily Mass once or twice when we have some of the most meaty readings at Mass - -coming from the prophets who foretold the coming of Christ.  And to offer that Mass up to someone who is in need of your prayers.
    And perhaps – put off the Christmas decorations at least for a while longer – and instead letting an Advent wreath be the focus of your holiday decor. 
 Or at best – as you string up your Christmas lights – reminding yourself to invite Christ into your heart – to light up your life with his grace.
    “Long live Christ the King” was the cry of those being persecuted in Mexico in the early part of the 20th century.  May it also be our cry – so that Chrsit the King may reign in our minds and hearts, and in our relationships with family, friends, strangers, neighbors –and even our enemies.
    When we allow Christ to reign in us – he transforms us into instruments of his justice and goodness.  We become partners with Christ uniting people in extending God’s mercy, truth and love – for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.
    
    

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