The last Sunday of the year in any cycle of the Church’s year is the Solemnity of Christ the king. The idea of a king is no doubt, funny for those who have no idea of who a king is, especially when one thinks of the Lording it over them as seen the world over. In designating Christ as the king of the universe, the Church was certainly looking for a good role model in the world that had lost all sense of decency in governance and administration. The feast is relatively new in the Church. Pope Pius XI declared it on December 11, 1925, barley 86 years ago. The world was coming out of a terrible World War 1, and Communism was sweeping across Russia while fascism controlled Italy, and the Nazi party was on the rise in Germany.
When Pope Pius XI inaugurated this feast he felt that “it is necessary that the royal dignity of Our Lord be recognized and accepted” if the Church was to stem the tide of cynicism and apathy that was felt across the globe. As Father Edward Steiner stressed, “Each year, by celebrating the feast of Christ the king, we are reminded afresh of the kingdom of God and its ruler and of the truth that all nations should form themselves in the image of God’s kingdom. Knowing that the completion of God’s kingdom has not yet been realized, we celebrate the event that has not yet occurred: the coming of Christ in glory at the end of time.”
Many territories observe this feast differently. In some areas, it is celebrated with pomp and pageantry as the Blessed Sacrament is carried in procession with Bishops, priests and the people of God amidst singing, praying and jubilation, demonstrating the kingship of Our Lord Jesus Christ over their lives.
The celebration of Christ the King this year has a different connotation to it. This Sunday ends our use of the second edition of the Roman Missal. Next Sunday, the first Sunday of Advent, we welcome the third edition of the Roman Missal. Fr. Steiner noted “the new translation of the Roman Missal gives us the opportunity to experience the faith of the Church and the presence of Christ in a deeper way. New words give us the opportunity to hear familiar ideas in more accurate language.” For instance when the priest says “The Lord be with you” our answer will be, “And with your Spirit”. We are given a new lease of spiritual life, as it were, to see Christ and his kingship over us differently. We are called to give ourselves over to Christ, our King who is visible as we celebrate the Mass on the altar, and as we receive him in Holy Communion. We are to show to people around us that Christ is our King by the way we relate with them in the streets and as we interact with the poor and the needy of our community. “As we exercise authority, whether it is the authority as parents, teachers, manger or in government, we are to do so in the understanding that all authority comes from Christ.” Let us remember most especially that we demonstrate his kingship over us by our love one for another. “By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” Jn. 13:35.
No comments:
Post a Comment