Reflections“The Lord is king, robed in majesty."
The Psalm celebrates God’s Kingdom,
in which the Lord reigns with majesty,
“gird about with strength.” God revealed
His kingship when He created the world.
But it is during the end times that the
kingdom of God will be displayed in
all its glory. This is in keeping with
our readings this week, in preparation
for our celebration of the Solemnity of
Christ the King this Sunday.
The prophet Daniel in this Sunday's first
reading speaks of the coming of the Son
of Man during the end times. (Daniel 7:13-14)
Sunday's second reading (Revelation 1:5-6)
is more explicit and brings us into the picture.
Christ’s blood frees us, and makes us into a
kingdom, where we become priests for God
the Father.
The kingdom is to be ruled under the Lord's
decrees, which are firmly established, as the Psalm
reminds us. But as Jesus says in the Gospel,
His kingdom is not of this world. (John 18:36)
His kingdom cannot be observed. But surely
it is among us, and most certainly, in our hearts.
Amen
Discussion Questions for Reflection
1. Our psalmist proclaims, "The Lord is king, robed with majesty,
girded with might." Yet our Lord Jesus did not seek a kingdom belonging to this world. Where do you find the kingdom of the Lord? How do you reach our mighty Lord?
2. The Psalm says that the Lord's throne stands firm and is everlasting. In what way do you gain strength from this verse?
It is fascinating to me that Pope Pius XI saw the need to establish this feast day of Christ the King, in 1925. His was a reaction to rising totalitarianism and secularism in the world; the feast reminds us that while governments come and go, Christ reigns as King forever -- over individuals, families, society, and nations. The whole and proper name of this Sunday is the Solemnity of our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe.
ReplyDeleteI love that the word "universe" is used, so it can thwart the enemy's attack on the word, in recent years. From popular TV shows to professors in academic circles, people are freely using the word "universe" in the place of where the word "God" should be. "The universe" tells the main character to search within her heart for an answer. Or "the universe" has willed two souls to find love together. The universe is the largest concept our brains can handle; one definition describes it as "everything. It includes all of space, and all the matter and energy that space contains."
It is reassuring and powerful for me to ponder that my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, is BIG enough to be king of "all space... and all the matter and energy that space contains." And not only is he ruler of the universe now, but he always has been, and will be forever. As our Psalm says in v.2, "... your throne is established from of old, you are from everlasting."
Jesus reigns as ruler of the universe always. And if the evil one is trying to attack the sígnicance of this theological fact, we know it is a vital TRUTH to which even the underworld must submit.