Greetings,
This Sunday, 24 November, marks our last Sunday for the liturgical year. It is commonly
known as Christ the King Sunday, and it is a time when we recognise Christ as being the
King of the Universe. Christ the King Sunday is a relatively recent addition to the Western
liturgical calendar, having been instituted by in 1925 by Pope Pius Xi for the Roman
Catholic Church, in a response to growing secularism and nationalism. Since then it is
now also celebrated in many Protestant churches.
In the latter part of this week our press has been full of the news that Prince Andrew has
chosen to step down from public duties following the backlash of his friendship with
Jeffery Epstein. Human royalty are, it seems, as fallible as everyone else.
Christ the King is not fallible but rather is the One through whom and for whom all was
accomplished.
When Pope Pius XI instituted the celebration, he wanted it to not just be important for the bishops, but also for the laity. He wanted people to be reminded of what Christ had done and what this meant for the people of God.
“If to Christ our Lord is given all power in heaven and earth … it must be clear than not
one is exempt from His empire. He must reign in our minds … He must reign in our wills
… He must reign in our hearts … He must reign in our bodies and in [each one of us]”
On this Christ the King Sunday, may we reflect on how, with Christ before, behind and with us, we might be instruments of God’s justice in the world.
Blessings – Rev Heather.