Jesus Christ is King: Thanksgiving and Advent

Catholic Online ^ | 11/21/09 | Deacon Keith Fournier

[tcg]

Our Catholic liturgical year follows a rhythmic cycle. It points us toward beginnings and ends and, in so doing, emphasizes an important truth that can only be grasped through faith. This is the Thirty Fourth or last Sunday in the Western Church year and we celebrate the Feast of the Solemnity of Jesus Christ the Sovereign King.

Then, no sooner than we have celebrated the last Sunday of the Year, the feast of Christ the King, we will celebrate the First Sunday of Advent, and begin the time of preparation for the great Nativity of Our Savior. Our Catholic Christian faith and its Liturgical practices proclaim to a world hungry for meaning that Jesus Christ is the “Alpha”, (the first letter of the Greek alphabet) and the “Omega” (the last letter), the beginning and the end. He is the Giver, the Governor and the fulfillment of all time. In Him the whole world is being made new.

Our Liturgical seasons offer us a way to receive time as a continual gift. Their celebration can help us to grow in the life of grace as we say “yes” to their invitations. They invite us to walk with the Lord in a way of life which becomes infused with supernatural meaning. The liturgical seasons help us mark time with those deeper truths that matter most... For the Christian, time is not meant to be a tyrant, somehow ruling over us. Rather, it is to be a teacher, instructing us, a series of invitations to allow the Lord to be our King, to reign in our real, daily lives. Rather than an enemy, time is to be a companion, a friend. It is a path along which the redemptive loving plan of a timeless God is revealed and received. ...

[tcg]

On the Feast of Christ the King we celebrate the full and final triumph and return of the One through whom the entire universe was created and in whom it is being recreated. For the Christian, time is not meant to be a tyrant, somehow ruling over us. Rather, it is to be a teacher, instructing us, a series of invitations to allow the Lord to be our King, to reign in our real, daily lives. Rather than an enemy, time is to be a companion, a friend. It is a path along which the redemptive loving plan of a timeless God is revealed and received.

[Salvation]

Jesus Christ is King: Thanksgiving and Advent
Reflection: Christ the King, Thanksgiving and Advent
Feast of Christ the King

Excerpts from Pope Pius XI's 'Quas Primas' (On the Kingship of Christ)
Poland erects gigantic statue of Christ the King
Christ, The King of the Universe
King of Kings and Lord of Lords [Solemnity of Christ the King]
Christ Our King! Now And Forever!

Christ the King, with images of the Interrogation of Christ by Pilate
Ruling for Christ the King
The Reign of Christ the King QUAS PRIMAS (On the Feast of Christ the King)
Christ the King