In the midst of all of this chaos and strife, the truth of God shines through and in fact increases throughout this time. The Church teaches the same faith she has ever taught. And, despite our different backgrounds, the Church does unite peoples in Christ. We are made one body by partaking of the body of Christ. Second Reading — Revelation Jesus Christ is the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead and ruler of the kings of the earth.
To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, who has made us into a kingdom, priests for his God and Father, to him be glory and power forever and ever.
Behold, he is coming amid the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him. All the peoples of the earth will lament him. This vision describes what true freedom is, namely freedom from sin and freedom to participate in the love of God.
Americans often misunderstand what freedom is. If one asks what freedom is, the most common response would probably be the ability to do whatever one likes. However, that is the freedom of a wild animal, which is really the dominance of one's desires over one's calling to holiness and true love.
As Jesus says, "He who commits sin is a slave of sin" Jn ; see also Rom However, as Pope St. It must be freely given and freely received; otherwise, it is not love. And love, so freely given and received makes us, as St.
John says, born of God and able to know Him see 1 Jn In this context, we see the rightful basis for freedom and human rights. We are entitled to certain rights because we have the calling to live out the love of God in many ways. Pope Benedict writes: "it is important to call for a renewed reflection on how rights presuppose duties, if they are not to become mere license" Caritas in veritate , This connection between rights and duties may seem like a limitation, but it is in fact the only sure foundation for human dignity and liberty.
Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done? If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews.
But as it is, my kingdom is not here. For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Corpus Christi is a royal festival: "Christ the King who rules the nations, come, let us adore" Invit.
In the Greek Church the feast of the Transfiguration is the principal solemnity in honor of Christ's kingship, Summum Regem gloriae Christum adoremus Invit. Finally at the sunset of the ecclesiastical year, the Church awaits with burning desire the return of the King of Majesty. We will overlook further considerations in favor of a glance at the daily Offices.
How often do we not begin Matins with an act of royal homage: "The King of apostles, of martyrs, of confessors, of virgins — come, let us adore" Invit. Lauds is often introduced with Dominus regnavit , "The Lord is King". Christ as King is also a first consideration at the threshold of each day; for morning after morning we renew our oath of fidelity at Prime: "To the King of ages be honor and glory.
The Blessed Sacrament would be carried and the procession would end with a prayer of consecration to Christ the King and Benediction. Try to participate if your parish has a Christ the King procession. If not, try having one at home minus the Blessed Sacrament. Learn more about secularism - read the Annual Statement of the Bishops of the United States released on November 14, Being a relatively newer feast on the Liturgical calendar, there are no traditional foods for this day.
Suggested ideas: a wonderful family Sunday dinner, and bake an cake shaped as a crown or King Cake or a bread in shape of a crown in honor of Christ the King.
A plenary indulgence is granted, if it is recite publicly on the feast of our Lord Jesus Christ King. Commentary on the Readings for the Last Sunday after Pentecost ". Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man, He will send forth His angels with a trumpet.
They will gather His elect from the four winds" Gospel. He tells us to do likewise. If the Spirit of the Lord speaks through us our words and acts reflect the God who calls us. To rule justly is to fear God and no other. Christ the King Sunday demands that we assess how we use our influence and power, our privilege and gifts.
Do we lord it over others or instead seek their interest? Do we look to please God or capitulate to earthly adulation? Do we strive for integrity or scramble for status? Christ the King is the servant Lord and our lives should imitate his example. Even in glory, the King of kings, intercedes for us, prays for us, never abandons us. Until that time when we gather around the heavenly throne, we can be encouraged because we are not alone, nor are we without purpose.
The Risen Christ enlists us into service for the sake of the world he so loves. We are made regents, entrusted to act in the name of Jesus Christ. Such knowledge ought to give us pause, humble us and move us to prayer.
Executive orders and unilateral decrees are not the stock and trade of Christians. We work together in community and yes, on committee — one Body with many members, with Christ and no other at the head. Jesus says he came to testify to the truth. Whoever belongs to that truth listens to his voice.
In a season awash in lies, a time when not just talk but truth is deemed cheap or worthless, those of us who worship the King of the Jews must testify to the truth, no matter the cost.
Tell it anyway. The gospel truth. No matter the cost. No matter if many refuse to hear it.
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