Christ the King Sunday: We Are Not of This World

Andreas F. Borchert [CC-BY-SA-3.0-de
 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0
/de/deed.en), CC-BY-SA-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/
licenses/by-sa/3.0)
or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)
], via Wikimedia Commons

The 2011-2012 Christian year will soon come to an end.  Almost one year ago, we began this church year with Advent, longing and preparing for a Savior.  We have since witnessed his birth, crucifixion, resurrection and ascension.  We have celebrated the gift of the Holy Spirit and the example of great Christians.  In between, we have walked with him during his time on earth, learned from him, marveled at his miracles and compassion.  He has accomplished all that we had hoped, and more.

This Sunday, November 25, 2012, will be the Feast Day of Christ the King.  On that day, we will reach the end of the journey and stand at the foot of the throne of our Lord who has been crowned Christ the King.  We will celebrate him and give him glory for his sacrifice and gifts of love and salvation.

In an election year that may or may not have turned out the way we had hoped, in the midst of an economic crisis, and in the face of plummeted real estate values and joblessness, this holiday may mean something extraordinary to a people reaching to God for succor:  We are not of this world.  We are Kingdom people. We must spend our Earthly sojourn here, and we will do so, gallantly.  We will do our jobs and raise our children and serve our fellow man, but, ultimately, Heaven is our home and Christ is our King.

So the stresses are still stresses.  The challenges roar.  I could attempt to list them here, but there are as many stories as there are people.  Each of us bears a burden.  None of us may currently feel at peace.  But, each of us may find Peace, because our Lord has triumphed over this world and given us the key to enter the Kingdom as citizens of the City of God.  What a gift we have been given!  Rejoice!  We are blessed and we will prosper, because He has overcome the world.

The challenge: We have been called by him to build the Kingdom of God here on Earth. We have been charged with an enourmous job.  We can do it, though, through Christ our Lord.  He will guide and comfort us and teach us how.  Lessons begin in the 2012-2012 Church year.  But first, we finish out this church year by celebrating the triumph of Christ the King.

Pax Christi Dear Ones,
We have walked a long way together this year.  I am looking forward to making the journey with you again, as one slightly wiser, greatly humbled by my inadequacies, renewed, and thankful that he is willing to continue to work on such a pitiful servant.
Have a glorious Feast of Christ the King!
~Michelle

Wondering about the church year?  You may like:

The Church Year: You are Here

Sunday's Gospel Reading:
Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus answered, "Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?" Pilate replied, "I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?" Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here." Pilate asked him, "So you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice." ~ John 18: 33-37

The Collect:
Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

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