Fr Tristan Writes 24th November 2024
Christ is King of the Universe!
'Father, "…you anointed your Only Begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, with the oil of gladness as eternal Priest and King of all creation, so that....making all created things subject to his rule, he might present to the immensity of your majesty an eternal and universal kingdom: a kingdom of truth and life, a kingdom of holiness and grace, a kingdom of justice, love and peace…"'
These glorious words from the Mass of today's feast remind us of the words of St Paul to the Colossians, that all things were created by Christ, "through him and for him" and "in him all things hold together." (cf. Col 1:16-17) He is King of creation, not only because He is the Creator, but because, on the Cross, He has conquered sin that threatened to disrupt the people He has made, by means of washing them with His blood, saving them, and setting His throne in their hearts by way of His Holy Spirit dwelling in them.
The unusual thing about Christ's kingship, is, unlike flawed earthly rulers, it is totally selfless and manifests itself in service: the King who dies wearing a mocking Crown of Thorns. If the world around us does not yet completely show forth His Kingship, it is a call to us to show that we are His subjects in serving others. We cannot create a perfect world here below - and that is not our calling – but, nonetheless, in striving for 'truth, life, holiness, grace, justice, love and peace', we point others to Him, and to our heavenly homeland, even here below.
This is the last week of the liturgical year before Advent begins. We pray for a renewed courage, as the year turns into that new season, to proclaim to others Jesus as our King.
