Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the King of the Universe
On the last Sunday of each liturgical year, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Christ the King of the Universe. This special day was established by Pope Pius XI in 1925 with encyclical Quas Primas (“In the first”) as an observance celebrating an aspect of Jesus’ identity, rather than of His life. Conventional understandings of kingship and power are transformed. Instead of calling up images of Jesus Christ dressed in kingly robes, the Gospel proclaims Him as King by the reign over His head, on the throne of a wooden cross – I.N.R.I – Iesus Nazarenus Rex Ivdaeorvm – Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.
By instituting the feast, Pope Pius XI responded to growing socialism and secularism in the world. He recognized that these related societal ills would breed increasing hostility towards the Church. The Solemnity was meant to elevate the reality that above all the nations of the world, there stands one King and one King only—Jesus Christ, the King of the Universe. To celebrate this feast at the end of liturgical year is to remind the people that Jesus is not just the Lord of church or the King of believers, but in fact the King of the Universe. His encyclical reminds the faithful that while governments and philosophies come and go, Christ reigns as King forever, because His reign is experienced in humble acts of service to humanity. Even as her freedom to carry out her ministries is threatened, the Church must patiently continue to serve the poor, educate the young, welcome the migrant, visit the prisoner, heal the sick, bury the dead, and love others.
Thursday, November 24th is Thanksgiving Day. Thanksgiving Day reminds us of what we should be all through the year and not to wait until the fourth Thursday of November. Although counted as a secular holiday, we celebrate it in the Church because it gives an expression to characteristic attitude of our faith. It reminds us of healthy mindedness, graciousness, and good cheer. It brightens our lives. It sparkles with an invisible vitality. It makes the heart glad. Each day we ought to pause to recognize the gifts given to us. Let each moment of our lives be a blessing that leads us to God with hearts filled with love and gratitude. Although it is not a holy day of obligation, please consider coming to Mass that we will celebrate at 10:00 am, to offer our thanksgiving in the Eucharist - the greatest act of thanksgiving to God - the source of all our gifts.
In the spirit of thanksgiving, I want to express my profound words of appreciation for the success of the St. Luke’s Annual Festival we celebrated last weekend! My words fail to offer my deepest and most sincere gratitude to the entire Festival Core Team under the leadership of John Jordan - Director of the Festival, Directors of Operations and Food – Lee Steele and Kelly Powell (who even on a scooter with a broken leg performed her duty with remarkable love and dedication), Parish Manager - Kristen Barreto, and the Parish Staff, supportive committees, and host of parishioners who so generously came together to offer their time and talent to contribute to the success of the festival. Together with loving commitment, dedication and a great deal of loving sacrifice we delivered an incredibly successful event! These incredible efforts of the leadership and parishioners alike collaborating together to serve the parish and the entire community are an amazing sign of the spirit of our St. Luke Parish family. It was an incredible witness of our faith in actions to reflect the love we have for one another and to proclaim that Jesus is truly our Lord and King! To our sponsors, supporters, benefactors, friends, visitors and everyone who came to join us, who supported, and participated in this community building event- I am forever thankful. May the love of God that you all came to share and witness with one another so generously, continue to be a blessing in your lives and an inspiration for all of us to follow. Until next year!!!!!!
“Judge the Catholic Church not by those who barely live by its spirit, but by the example of those who live closest to it.” -The Wisdom of Fulton Sheen
Have a blessed week and give thanks to the Lord. A Blessed Thanksgiving everybody!