Being Grateful - Solemnity of Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
Happy Thanksgiving and Happy New Year!!
As we approach the Thanksgiving Holiday, we spend some time thinking about how grateful we are for all that we have been given. The Pandemic will likely prevent a lot of us from sharing a meal together. So let us try all the harder to assure that our conversations, whether by text, phone, or Zoom, include some talk of how grateful we are for each other and the many other blessings in our lives.
With Advent beginning next Sunday, the Church year comes to an end. I guess that makes today sort of like New Year's Eve! And the Church finishes the year with the best news we could imagine: that all of the difficulties of the past year are melted away by the fact that Jesus Christ is King of the Universe!
It has been a difficult year in many ways. The Covid-19 Pandemic, racism and civil unrest, the uncertainties connected to the election and much more. All this weighs heavy on our minds. It can wear us down. But celebrating the fact that Jesus Christ is King of the Universe brings us back to what matters most. We become restored, knowing that it is not Covid-19 that is in charge, and it is not even our world leaders. But it is Christ himself who is in charge of the world and in the end his justice always prevails! We see Christ in the people fighting the Virus on the front lines in hospitals. Christ is present and visible in the people who have acted with kindness and love towards those isolated and alone. Christ is working through those in leadership positions in police and other organizations as they work selflessly to eliminate prejudice and hatred to bring Christ's justice and love.
It has been a difficult year but celebrating at its end that Christ prevails as King moves our focus to the right place. We can begin to see God where God is present. May we do our part to give food to the poor, water to the thirsty, welcome to the stranger, provide care for the injured. Because it is in each of these suffering ones that God can be found, calling you to bring about God's justice in the world.
