Solemnity of Christ the King- Father Kevin Louis's Bulletin Column - November 26, 2006
Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King, the Last Sunday in Ordinary Time. Just what does it mean for us to worship Christ as King of the Universe? The Preface of the Eucharistic Prayer for the Mass of Christ the King speaks of Jesus being anointed, an ancient gesture mentioned in II Samuel – there referring to David as king of Israel (5:13) – a gesture whereby someone is consecrated before God and the community as priest, prophet or king. The Preface tells us Jesus is anointed as “eternal priest” by offering “His life on the altar of the cross.” The Book of Revelation speaks of this priestly sacrifice of Christ – He 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” (1:5-6).
The Preface also tells us Jesus is anointed as “universal king” insofar as “He claims dominion over all creation.” Indeed, the prophet Daniel speaks of the “Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven . . . (the one who) received dominion, glory and kingship . . . (the one whom) nations and peoples of every language serve” (7:13-14). The Collect (Opening Prayer) of today’s Mass speaks of Christ’s Kingship being manifested by His breaking “the power of evil” and making “all things new.” Jesus exercises this kingly power in our lives by the forgiveness of sins and re-creation that is ours through the Sacrament of Baptism.
The Preface of the Eucharistic Prayer further specifies that Jesus has dominion over all creation so that upon His return He may present to the Father “an eternal and universal kingdom: a kingdom of truth and life, a kingdom of holiness and grace, a kingdom of justice, love and peace.” Therefore, we acknowledge Christ as King and cooperate with Him in bringing about the Kingdom when we live by the Gospel (cf. Prayer after Communion) – when we practice the truth (cf. John 18:37) and respect life, when we cultivate a life of prayer and good works, when we work for justice and peace informed by the virtue of charity. In this way, then, we on earth are united with those in heaven in acclaiming God’s glory (cf. Collect). With our celebration of Christ the King we pray that our praise and worship of God may never cease until His Kingdom is fully made manifest upon the glorious return of the Son, Christ our King.
Pope Benedict XVI makes a pastoral visit to Turkey from November 28 through December 1. The Knights of Columbus are encouraging their membership to spiritually accompany our Holy Father before and during this historic pilgrimage. I exhort you to offer daily this prayer composed for the occasion by Bishop William Lori, Supreme Chaplain of the Knights of Columbus: “Heavenly Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name, we humbly ask that you sustain, inspire, and protect your servant, Pope Benedict XVI, as he goes on pilgrimage to Turkey – a land to which Saint Paul brought the Gospel of your Son; a land where once the Mother of your Son, the Seat of Wisdom, dwelt; a land where faith in your Son’s true divinity was definitively professed. Bless our Holy Father, who comes as a messenger of truth and love to all people of faith and good will dwelling in this land so rich in history. In the power of the Holy Spirit, may this visit of the Holy Father bring about deeper ties of understanding, cooperation, and peace among Roman Catholics, the Orthodox, and those who profess Islam. May the prayers and events of these historic days greatly contribute both to greater accord among those who worship you, the living and true God, and also to peace in our world so often torn apart by war and sectarian violence. We also ask, O Heavenly Father, that you watch over and protect Pope Benedict and entrust him to the loving care of Mary, under the title of Our Lady of Fatima, a title cherished both by Catholics and Muslims. Through her prayers and maternal love, may Pope Benedict be kept safe from all harm as he prays, bears witness to the Gospel, and invites all peoples to a dialogue of faith, reason, and love. We make our prayer through Christ, our Lord. Amen.”
Saint Peter, pray for us! Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us!