In this time with so many difficult things happening, the pandemic, financial instability, political conflict, and wars, many people are asking if these are the end times. In many ways, there will be conflict and peace will not be finally established until the coming of the Lord. November 21, 2021 marks the last Sunday of the Church calendar year with the celebration of the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is our peace; searching for peace outside of him, we will always be disappointed because there is no lasting peace outside of God.
What are the Feast of Christ the King and Advent about?
What is the call for these last days of the year and the upcoming season of Advent? It is to turn to Him while there is time. God calls all to salvation. His grace is open to us. We hear Him calling in His sacred word, “If you today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” And, “ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and the door will be opened to you.” How much are we looking for Him, for the Truth is looking for us? Do we allow room for the development of a listening heart that is able to hear Him by the gift of His own grace?
Preparing for the coming of Jesus
These days of the year are a precious time for reflection. The season of Advent is about preparing for the final coming of Christ or for that moment when each of us will meet Him in death just as much as it is about preparing for His birth.
Christ in Glory
In these days before Advent, we read in the Liturgy of Hours from Saint Andrew of Crete:
He is coming who is everywhere present and pervades all things; he is coming to achieve in you his work of universal salvation. He is coming who came to call to repentance not the righteous but sinners, coming to recall those who have strayed into sin. Do not be afraid then: God is in the midst of you, and you shall not be shaken.
Receive him with open, outstretched hands
Receive him with open, outstretched hands, for it was on his own hands that he sketched you. Receive him who laid your foundations on the palms of his hands. Receive him, for he took upon himself all that belongs to us except sin, to consume what is ours in what is his. Be glad, city of Zion, our mother, and fear not. Celebrate your feasts. Glorify him for his mercy, who has come to us in you. Rejoice exceedingly, daughter of Jerusalem, sing and leap for joy. Be enlightened, be enlightened, we cry to you, as holy Isaiah trumpeted, for the light has come to you and the glory of the Lord has risen over you.[i]
Almighty ever-living God,
it is your will to gather up all things in your beloved one,
reigning in the universe in the power that is love,
mercifully grant that the whole of creation,
freed from slavery,
may serve and praise you through Jesus Christ
who is alive with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, now and for ever. Amen.[ii]
Work Cited:
Carracci, Annibale. “Christ in Glory.” WikiMedia Commons, September 29, 2014. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Annibale_Carracci,_study_for_Lupercalia.jpg.
[i] Saint Anthony, of Crete. “Behold, Your King Is Coming to You, the Holy One, the Savior.” Week 33 Tuesday – Office of Readings. Accessed November 18, 2021. http://www.liturgies.net/Liturgies/Catholic/loh/week33tuesdayor.htm.
(Orat. 9, in ramos palmarum: PG 97, 1002)
[ii] The Roman Missal: English Translation According to the Third Typical Edition. “Collect for Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe.” Approved by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and Confirmed by the Apostolic See. Johnstown, PA: Resurrection Roman Catholic Parish, 2011. http://www.resurrectionparishjohnstown.com/uploads/1/1/4/3/114314907/theromanmissal.pdf
Posted for November 21, 2011
Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
