Category: Christ the King

CATHOLIC FAITHLINK: “Homily of Saint Pope John Paul II, Eucharistic Celebration for the Feast of Christ The King, Sunday, 23 November 1997” – VaticanVa

Catholic, Catholic Faith, Christ, Christ the King, Faith Links, Headlines
Saint Pope John Paul II file photo, adapted from image at archives.gov

“… He, the obedient Servant, is King because He has ‘the keys of death and Hades’ (Rv 1:18). And, because He is the conqueror of death, hell and Satan, He is “the ruler of kings on earth” (Rv 1:5). In fact, everything on earth is subject to death. Instead, He who has power over death opens the prospect of immortal life to all humanity. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the Fulfilment of all Creation (cf. Rv 1:8), so that every generation can repeat: Blessed is His Kingdom that is coming (cf. Mk 11:10). …”

, , , , , , , , , ,

CATHOLIC FAITHLINK: [PDF] Homily for Solemnity of Christ the King 2015 – Saint Anselm’s Abbey/ Fr. Joseph Jensen

Catholic, Catholic Faith, Christ, Christ the King, Faith Links
Christ the King Historic Image Print For Planned Stained Glass Window, adapted from image at loc.gov

“… rather than being a conclusion to what had gone before, it should rather be a beginning, a beginning of where we go from here. Jesus did not come simply to be crowned king of the universe; He came to establish the kingdom of God. When He said, ‘The Kingdom of God is at hand,’ we must understand that ‘at hand’ in terms of God’s Eternity, according to which one day is a thousand years and a thousand years a day. …”

, , , , , , , , ,

FAITHLINK: “Look for Jesus today, and when you see Him, rejoice” – Catholic Philly/Msgr. Joseph Prior

Catholic, Catholic Faith, Christ, Christ the King, Christmas Season, Epiphany, Faith Links, Headlines
Nativity Scene Statuary at Church

“… This Sunday we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany. The celebration commemorates the visit of the magi to the child Jesus, the King of the Jews. The significance of this feast is that Jesus is made manifest to the nations. The magi who come from foreign lands to see the newborn king represent the ‘nations.’ The light that comes into the world comes … for all peoples. The magi, following the light of the star, search for the child until they find Him in Bethlehem and ‘… on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.’ Coming to the close of the Christmas season, we have the opportunity to reflect, once again, on the birth of the Messiah. Our celebrations recall and remember that He has been born among us. We recognize the Gift of Life that comes through Him. We celebrate God becoming man and living among us. We commemorate God taking on flesh so that he could give it up on our behalf and thereby opening the gates of Eternal Life. …”

, , , , , , ,

FAITHLINK News.Va: “Pope Francis: Full Text of Homily for Solemnity of Christ the King”

Catholic, Catholic Faith, Christ, Christ the King, Faith Links, Headlines, Pope Francis
Pope Francis file photo, adapted from image (c) VIS

“The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, is the crown of the liturgical year and this Holy Year of Mercy. The Gospel in fact presents the kingship of Jesus as the culmination of his saving work, and it does so in a surprising way. ‘The Christ of God, the Chosen One, the King’ (Lk 23:35,37) appears without power or glory: he is on the cross, where he seems more to be conquered than conqueror. His kingship is paradoxical: his throne is the cross; his crown is made of thorns; he has no sceptre, but a reed is put into his hand; he does not have luxurious clothing, but is stripped of his tunic; he wears no shiny rings on his fingers, but his hands are pierced with nails; he has no treasure, but is sold for thirty pieces of silver. …”

, , , , ,

FAITHLINK: Benedict XVI Angelus, Solemnity of Christ the King, 2010 – Vatican.va

Christ, Christ the King, Headlines, Pope Benedict XVI
Christ the King Historic Image Print For Planned Stained Glass Window, adapted from image at loc.gov

“… The Solemnity of Christ the King was established by Pius XI in 1925 and, later, after the Second Vatican Council, it was placed at the close of the liturgical year. The Gospel according to St Luke presents, as in a great painting, the kingship of Jesus at the moment of his Crucifixion. The leaders of the people and the soldiers taunt “the first-born of all creation” (Col 1:15) and put him to the test to see whether he has the power to save himself from death (cf. Luke 23:35-37). …”

, , , , , , ,

FAITHLINK Archdiocese of Washington: “King of Thieves and King of the Universe – A Homily for the Solemnity of Christ the King”

Catholic, Catholic Faith, Christ, Christ the King, Faith Links, Headlines
Christ the King Historic Image Print For Planned Stained Glass Window, adapted from image at loc.gov

“… the good thief claims the victory through his choice for #Jesus #Christ. Will you have the victory? That depends on whether you choose the prince of this world or the King of the Universe, Jesus. Some think that they can tread some middle path, choosing neither Jesus nor Satan. But if you do that, you’ve actually chosen the prince of this world, who loves compromise. Jesus says, Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters ….”

, , , , , , , ,

FAITHWATCH: “Solemnity Of Christ The King; While govern­ments may crumble, Christ’s Kingdom, unlike the kingdoms of this world, will last forever” – USCCB

Catholic, Catholic Faith, Christ, Christ the King, Headlines, Liturgical Seasons, Ordinary Time, Solemnity of Christ the King
Christ the King Historic Image Print For Planned Stained Glass Window, adapted from image at loc.gov

On the Catholic Liturgical Calendar, the final Sunday of Ordinary Time and of the entire Liturgical Year marks the Solemnity of Christ the King. Advent and the new Liturgical Year start a week later. The USCCB provides inspirational background on the Solemnity of Christ the King, excerpts of which follow:

“Each year at the conclusion of the liturgical year, we fittingly celebrate the Solemnity of #Christ the King. As the Apostle St. Paul teaches us, ‘In Jesus Christ] every­ thing in heaven and earth was created… and continues in being’ …. He is the ‘Alpha and Omega,’ the ‘Beginning and End,’ the ‘Way, Truth, and Life.’ Indeed, Christ promises to His faithful friends the gift of salvation, the pledge of everlasting life through His Resurrection. Therefore, faithfulness to Christ, our King, opens the door to our eternal happiness.
* * *
Bearing witness to the truth in this age can be difficult. But Christ has shown us that ‘kingship’ must always be at the service of the good of mankind. Therefore, with His Grace and in hope of His Gift of Salvation, let us bear witness to the truth, even when it is unpopular or costly to do so. In this way, we become faithful servants of Christ, preparing the way for His Kingdom, both on earth and in heaven.”

Click here for USCCB: “Solemnity Of Christ The King; While govern­ments may crumble, Christ’s Kingdom, unlike the kingdoms of this world, will last forever”

, , , , , , ,