Fr. Nate's Letter - November 24, 2024

Earthly monarchies are something that have evolved over time. The monarchs that remain in our present day serve more as public figures than individuals who actually govern and exercise authority. If you and I were to go back in time and look at the intent and purpose of a monarch, we would see that a monarchy is meant to unify a people as a common family. In biblical times, the king was often seen as the “father of the family.”  In 1925, when the world was still reeling from the devastation of World War I, Pope Pius XI asked that the feast which we celebrate this weekend, “Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe,” be observed by the Church throughout the world. 

In the days after the war, as nations vowed “never again,” a major emphasis was placed on the pursuit of happiness. A dangerous error seemed to be taking hold, however, in the thought that such happiness would require the exclusion of God and a distance from religion. Yet at the same time as such efforts were made, the world still faced questions: if this distancing from God is happiness, why is there still war and not peace? Why is there selfishness and greed? Why do people starve to death? Why are families broken and sometimes destroyed? The pope’s conclusion was - and the answer is rather simple - it is because “we have thrust Jesus Christ and His holy law from our lives.” The purpose of instituting and observing the Solemnity of Christ the King was to recapture what was being thrown to the side.

Very few who claim to be Christian of any sort would deny that Christ is their King. Yet we need to ask ourselves, “Is the Lord, in fact, King in my life? Is Jesus Christ and His holy law at the center of everything I think and do and say?” This is a question posed to us as individuals who claim Christ as our King, and it is a question posed to us as a society at large. This feast reminds all of us that there may be things that separate us, but we are united under a single banner by claiming Christ as our King, and united in a single purpose, which is to serve our King. It makes us wonder if the pope’s insight was given much thought by folks at the time, because it wasn’t long before the world was at war again. This weekend, you and I acclaim our King and seek to intensify our efforts to make sure that Jesus Christ and His holy law are truly at the center of our lives.

On another note, as we approach Thanksgiving, it is a time to be grateful for so much, and to take the opportunity to thank those who do so many things out of their love for Christ our King. Tremendous thanks to the staff who put in long hours to make sure that the parish keeps running. Thanks to those who labor to hand on the love of our King to the children in our parish school and Religious Education program. Thanks to those who serve on the multitude of committees and in the different ministries (they would be too long to list). Special thanks to so many “hidden folks” who might never be told thanks, and don’t seek thanks, but nevertheless we’re grateful to them. Thank you, too, to all of you who call this parish home or who visit, practicing your faith and showing charity in so many ways. Thank you for the ways you live your faith. The witness of your love for the Lord which brings you to Mass each week gives so many reasons to our world for hope.
As you and I know, we exist to serve Jesus Christ, and our goal is to keep Him and His holy law at the center of our lives; and to the extent that we do this, we’re reminding our world where true happiness is found. 

Happy Thanksgiving! Long live Christ the King!

Wishing you all God’s blessings this week!

Keeping you in prayer – and say one for me!

- Fr. Nate