Dear Parish Family,
Today’s Scripture Readings revolve around the Last Judgment scene of Jesus Christ coming in glory and power. The Franciscan Order, following the lead of its great thirteenth century theologians St. Bonaventure and Blessed Duns Scotus, was instrumental in establishing the Feast of Christ the King and extending the celebration to the universal Church. But it was Pope Pius XI who instituted The Feast of Christ the King in 1925 for the Universal Church in his encyclical Quas Primas because the people of the day had “thrust Jesus Christ and his holy law out of their lives,” believing “these had no place in public affairs or in politics.” He connected the increasing denial of Christ as king to the rise of secularism throughout Europe.
At the time of Quas Primas, many Christians (including Catholics), had begun to doubt Christ’s authority and existence, as well as the Church’s power to continue Christ’s authority, because they witnessed the rise of non-Christian dictatorships in Europe. These dictators often attempted to assert authority over the Church. There could be a covert move to this effect even in our nation. It is good to learn from history of Europe of 1930’s to offset such dangerous pitfalls for us.
Pope Pius XI hoped the institution of the feast would have various effects: 1. That nations would see that the Church has the right to freedom, and immunity from the state (Quas Primas, 32). 2. That leaders and nations would see that they are bound to give respect to Christ (Quas Primas, 31). 3. That the faithful would gain strength and courage from the celebration of the feast, as we are reminded that Christ must reign in our hearts, minds, wills, and bodies (Quas Primas, 33).
Although Emperors and Kings now exist mostly in history books and computer games, we still honor Christ as the King of the Universe by enthroning him as King in our hearts and allowing him to take control of our lives. When we accept Jesus as the King of our lives, then everyone and everything else falls into its proper place. We become responsible stewards of his material and spiritual kingdom. We are also challenged to find Christ the King in everyone around us. As loyal subjects of Christ the King, we are invited to treat others with justice and compassion as Jesus did, especially those whom we consider the least important.
The Gospel passage teaches us that the main criterion of the Last Judgment will be the works of Christian charity, kindness and mercy we have done for others, in whom we have actually served Christ, knowingly or unknowingly. The account tells us that Christ, the Judge, is going to ask us six questions, and all of them are based on how we have cooperated with God’s grace to do acts of charity, kindness and mercy for others, because Jesus actually dwells in them.
Fr. Tom Kunnel C.O.