AMDG
Dear OSJ Family,
So many have recently shared with me concerns with the level of angst, confusion and hostility that has surfaced in our country in these past two years during what proved to be a highly contentious presidential campaign and a growing divide that seems to be increasing in our country over social, political, cultural, moral and religious issues. Aside from recent elections, candidates and personalities, we as Catholic Christians have today Solemn Feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ King of the Universe to remind us who is the true King and Shepherd of our souls and the Eternal Ruler of all things.
In 1925, Pope Pius XI instituted The Feast of Christ the King in his encyclical Quas Primas. He connected the increasing denial of Christ as the king of our hearts to the rise of secular ideals and worldly vanities that drew some people’s attention only toward themselves and away from Christ and others. At that time, Pope Pius XI, and the rest of the Christian world, witnessed the rise of non-Christian dictatorships in Europe, and saw Catholics being taken in by these earthly leaders. These dictators often attempted to assert authority over our Catholic faith. Thus, the Feast of Christ the King was instituted during a time when respect for Christ and the Church was waning, when a feast was needed most.
Today, as many Americans struggle to make sense of the discord and lack of unity that has been growing for too long in our nation, we can expect a restoration of unity and mutual respect and greater love in the hope that our Eternal King, Jesus, as our shield and protection will guide our elected leaders, our nation and all of the nations of the world. Indeed our good King cannot not fail us he has made that promise to us through his cross and resurrection.
In our present day, the idea of Christ as King is often rejected in our strongly individualistic world. Many balk at the idea of kings and queens, believing them to be out of date and even possibly oppressive, for indeed some rulers have been oppressive throughout history! Some people even reject the titles of “lord” and “king” for Christ because they believe that such titles are borrowed from oppressive systems of government. Whatever truth these statements might hold (again some queens and kings have been oppressive), these individuals miss one major point: Christ’s kingship is one of gentle humility and loving service. Jesus said:
You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to become great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:42-45).
It is fitting that the feast celebrating Christ’s kingship is observed the week before before Advent, when we liturgically wait for our promised Messiah, our King.
Today then, let us accept CHRIST AS OUR KING, the ruler of our hearts, the ruler of a kingdom where the dignity of all is respected and where all are loved and honored as precious children of one God. Today let us allow this vision of our King to bring unity, peace and serenity to rule in our nation and in our world. As the Church asks us, let us pray that God’s wisdom and vision continue to guide our president, Barack Obama, and our president-elect Donald Trump and all of our elected leaders who serve our nation. Indeed, let us place the future in God’s loving hands under the reign of our True King, Jesus Christ, who with Mary Our Queen and the entire heavenly court of saints pray for us and guide us to that kingdom for which we work and pray!
Blessed Feast of Christ the King!
Fr Phil Florio, SJ
Pastor
