Kingship
This weekend marks the end of the Liturgical year. We do so by recognizingn that Christ is King of all Time & Space, of Heaven and Earth, of all & everyone. This ia bold statement, particularly as so many clearly do to recognize Christ as Lord and Eternal Leader of our lives. Yet, rather than give into sadness at those who have not yet turned to Christ, we who have should be filled to oveflowing with joy and peace.
Recognizing the Kingship of Christ helps us recognize our eternal place in His Kingdom as citizens of heaven. It helps us know whose laws we are truly bound to, whose guidance we should take, how we are called to live, to speak, to enact. And in what manner and dispositon those laws are enacted in real, human relationships and interactions. We can set fear, hurt, and harm aside as we find courage in the Cross, healing in the Wounded Hands of our Lord, and forgiveness in His immense Mercy. We can be the peace the world needs, because we know our time here is brief. And that brief time has a deep purpose, to know and be known by Christ, to reeive and to share Christ, to live and give His kind Kingdom.
In the Lord’s Prayer, we say “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” We know that the Holy & Perfect Will of God – Father – Son – Spirit – is perfectly done in Heaven. And it is our ardent prayer that that same Holy & Perfect Will can be done on earth in & through You and me. Please Lord, please King, may it be so.
Thanksgiving
One way to make present and evident that Holy & Perfect Will of God on earth as it is in heaven, is by an attitude of Gratitude, of immense and heartfelt thanksgiving, of a life of Eucharisteo. As we know the word Eucharist means thanksgiving and to give thanks. It also has the connotation of ‘rendering thanks’. It is worth thinking about the slight nuance between giving and rendering in light of Christ’s Kingship. Giving is rightly understood as freely done, originating from the heart, an act of free will & often love. Rendering has a slightly different take, which includes providing that which is somehow due in justice. Jesus will tell us to “Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s” (Mt 22:21). Certainly, Caesar didn’t receive taxes & tribute as freely given gifts. Rather, they were expected & demanded. There is a real sense in which this equally true of our relationship to God. One with which, I’m guess that we are less comfortable. Wherever we might serve, whatever we might say, however we might do, in justice we owe thanksgiving and gratitude to God. Certainly, motivated by freedom & love is better (holier!), but whether we feel like it or not, it is due. We have a responsibility to render thanks, praise, prayer to God, and to do so as He has commanded us. Especially by means of “Do this in Memory of Me”! As we celebrate Thanksgiving with family, friends, & food, recognizing our many & abundant blessings, let us also render thanks, praise, & gratitude to Him who is its source – Christ our King.
Nothing Less than saints for the Holy Family of God.
Holy Family, Eternally Grateful & Thankful, Pray for us.
~ Fr Jeremy M. Gries