Pastors Notes from November 26, 2023
-
November 27, 2023Last Sunday our students preparing for First Holy Communion received their First Reconciliation. When asked beforehand, yes, they were nervous. Such would be normal for young or old, receiving this Sacrament. After each received the Sacrament however, they were more relaxed, and believed Jesus forgave them their sins. Such is the grace whenever we receive Christ’s healing forgiveness through this Sacrament. Thank you parents for sharing and nurturing our Catholic-Christian faith with your sons and daughters, especially in preparation for their First Holy Communion. May your home continue to reflect our Catholic values, and times of prayer. And may your presence at the Sunday Eucharist be a blessing of hope and gratitude for your family.
Each year, the Sunday before the beginning of Advent, the Church celebrates the Feast of Christ the King. Though the concept of “kingship” is foreign to our democracy, liberties and freedoms, we recognize the truth of this Solemnity established by Pope Pius XII in 1925. His encyclical, “Quas Primas,” established this Solemnity within the context of growing secularism and dictatorships following the aftermath of WWII. As with any encyclical or magisterial teaching, the Holy Spirit guided Pope Pius XII to give heed to the King “of whose kingdom there shall be no end. In an interesting twist, the first parish to be consecrated as Our Lord Christ the King happened to be in Cincinnati. Our Feast day this weekend highlights not the power of Christ to control, force, punish or threaten obedience; rather His Kingdom is one of truth, hope, healing, redemption and love. In a homily given on this Feast day in 2009 Pope Benedict XVI gives credence to the kingship of Christ Jesus.
“But in what does this “power” of Jesus Christ the King consist? It is not the power of the kings or the great people of this world; it is the divine power to give eternal life, to liberate from evil, to defeat the dominion of death. It is the power of Love that can draw good from evil, that can melt a hardened heart, bring peace amid the harshest conflict and kindle hope in the thickest darkness. This Kingdom of Grace is never imposed and always respects our freedom. . . Every conscience, therefore, must make a choice. Who do I want to follow? Choosing Christ does not guarantee success according to the world’s criteria but assures the peace and joy that he alone can give us.” Reflecting Pope Benedict’s words, his predecessor, Pope Francis, reiterates how the kingship of Jesus was established through the crucifixion. Giving up his life willingly for the redemption and hope of each individual conceived regardless of country or language or culture. Jesus sought no crown or royal robe or place of honor at the table; rather he came to the completion of his earthly mission, “humbly, mounted on a donkey, the foal of the beast of burden.” (MT 21:4-5). Though His kingdom will have no end, Christ the King will touch the forgotten, the alienated, the imprisoned with the same grace as he does the righteous; and both need the presence of healing and hope as only Christ can offer. Next Sunday we begin the new Liturgical Year with the First Week of Advent. Adopted from the Latin ‘adventus’ Advent literally means “coming” or “arrival.” Yes, a time of spiritual preparation for the birth of Christ, but significantly, the second coming of the Messiah. With the lighting of the four Advent Candles each successive Sunday, the themes of Hope, Love, Joy and Peace are annunciated as our steps in preparation for the coming Christ Jesus in our hearts. Pope Benedict reminded us of the possibility during Advent to “awaken in all of us memories of goodness and thus to open the doors of hope. Quite possibly, this brief but special season will allow us to sit, linger, ponder, wait, behold and wonder, knowing there will be time enough for running. Acknowledging our many blessings, Advent brings forth awareness of others who are struggling to find hope in their lives and as such we can “mark the season of Advent by loving and serving the others with God’s own love and concern,” in the words of Mother Teresa. We are called to prepare for the coming of Christ with an examination of our own shortcomings, seeking the grace of forgiveness and healing through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. As one Christian pastor points out, “The celebration of Advent is possible only to those who are troubled in soul, who know themselves to be poor and imperfect, and who look forward to something greater to come.” Aren’t we all imperfect and searching for that something greater in our lives to give us meaning and direction. Through the many activities, events, and commercial distractions in these days approaching the 25th, may we journey towards Bethlehem thoughtfully, patiently and with humility, drawn by the light of God made man.
God Bless, Fr. Tim
FYI: “A teardrop on earth summons the King of Heaven.” (Charles Swindoll, author & pastor)
