“King” as a word and as an ideal has had a  bad time of it since 1925 when the Feast of Christ the King was instituted by Pope Pius XI. Some  of you may remember the 1950s when the title King was applied liberally to almost any individual considered peerless in his field. For example, Elvis Presley  was the King of Rock ’n’ Roll!

When Jesus stood as a prisoner before Pilate, abandoned by his disciples, cast aside by his fellow citizens, He said to Pilate, “Mine is not a kingdom of this world; if my kingdom were of this world my men would have fought to prevent my being surrendered to the Jews. But my kingdom is not of this kind.” (John 18:36)

Jesus made it clear to Caesar’s representative that Rome had nothing to fear from the alleged King of the Jews. Israel’s dreams of a triumphant Messiah were fantasy.

Indeed, as St Augustine wrote, Jesus is not a king who levies tribute, marshals mighty armies, or puts his enemies to the sword;  He is a King who reigns in people’s hearts, who promises eternal goods, who will lead into the Kingdom of heaven all who believe, who hope & who love.

Pius XI may have been over optimistic when he wrote the following in his Encyclical Quas Primas (11 December 1925) instituting the Feast of Christ the King.

“Nations will be reminded by the annual celebration of this feast that not only private individuals but also rulers and princes are bound to give public honour & obedience to Christ. It will call to their minds the thought of the Last Judgment, wherein Christ who has been cast out of public life, despised, neglected & ignored. will most severely avenge these insults; for his kingly dignity demands that the State should take account of the commandments of God and of Christian principles, both in making laws and in administering justice, and also in providing for the young a sound moral education.”

His Holiness expects the world to see Jesus as a triumphant King.

Ninety -five years after His encyclical, indeed after  two millennia of Christianity, there is still much opposition to the Kingdom which Jesus came to establish. And yet there never was a King for whom so many loyal subjects sought to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to the four corners of the globe. Countless people have renounced all things to follow Him and to establish His Kingdom. Their name is legion - the men, women & children who have shown Him their love by dying for Him.

The Kingdom of God is both a present reality and a future promise. That present reality was initiated by Jesus Christ, True God & True Man. He founded a Church to continue His work; a work carried on with the help of the Holy Spirit. There will be periods of doubt, failure, pain, humiliation, persecution  and other tribulations - just as Jesus suffered. But we can also look forward with blessed hope (Titus 2:13) to the end times when the Risen Christ will bring the Kingdom of the Triune God to its consummation.

Lord Jesus, may the Church be truly Your collective body in the world today. May it be infused with Your Spirit - loving and serving others. As You did when You lived among us.  Come, Lord Jesus, come! We need Your help.  Amen                                                                                                                                                                                 Joe Quigley

LIVING FAITH IN THE EVERYDAY

 LOOKING BACK > LOOKING FORWARD

As we reflect on Year B certainly the pandemic and its re-emergence

is large in our minds and hearts – we didn’t expect to be battling Covid

in 2021 but then we did! However, through the challenge, anxiety and

uncertainty how are we transformed? As we have all said in many

conversations – ‘it’ll never again be life as usual’.

How have our priorities changed?

Where and with whom do we put our energy?

The Gospel of John this weekend gives us inspiration. This feast is not about the glory and power of kingship but it is about challenging our understanding about being a king – a leader, a person who has the opportunity to lead – we all have this opportunity in our everyday lives – in our families, in our parish, in our sporting clubs and for some professionally. As we reflect on Year B let us be guided by the reply of Jesus to Pilate: ‘yes I am a king…I came into the world to bear witness to the truth and all who are on the side of truth, listen to my voice’.

How will we be witnesses to the truth?

How will we work together to create a different world in which all are welcomed and respected – in small as well as bigger ways?

We pray for the courage to be witnesses to the truth in our everyday lives – to live out God’s reign in our world.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

To the 19 boys and girls

who celebrated their First Eucharist

Saturday 20th November.

May God guide and protect you always.