If you’re looking for a reason to have another party this
holiday season, I would suggest celebrating the liturgical new year. Next Saturday evening marks the
beginning of a near year starting with Advent. Celebrate the festivities.
For
centuries the Israelites, and even now the Jewish people, have waited for the
Messiah. They have looked for the
fulfillment of the prophecies of the Messiah: the Son of man who will receive “dominion, glory, and kingship; all peoples,
nations and languages [will] serve him.”
They
have longed for the one who will bring military and political victory. They imagined a prosperous king who
would bring abundant blessings of money, land and descendants to His people. This same king was to establish his
kingdom in Jerusalem and live out God’s law perfectly.
We
Catholics believe that the Messiah has come. In fact, Jesus Christ, the King of kings turned the concept
of kingship upside down. He was
not born in a palace, but in a manger.
He did not inherit prosperity as his foster father was a poor
carpenter. Nevertheless He did
indeed bring abundant wealth—not human riches—but by opening the eternal
treasures of heaven. He brought
victory, not from a military, but from sin, death and the evil one. He did in fact establish His kingdom in
Jerusalem as this was where He shed His blood and gave His life for us. In short, Jesus Christ “is the faithful witness, the
firstborn of the dead and ruler of the kings of the earth.”
Jesus
says something very important in the Gospel: “My kingdom is not of this world…” Can you say the same?
Is Jesus truly your king and His kingdom your number one priority? Or is your kingdom sports, family,
career, hobbies or something else?
Not that these are bad things—these can actually be great goods. But if anything less than Jesus is our
king—if anything less than His kingdom consumes our time—we will live in a
crumbling world.
So
how can we be more faithful members of the King’s kingdom? It is helpful to consider what makes us
good members of our own society.
In the USA, Minnesota and even Duluth, we are called to be faithful
citizens. We ought to take part in
our society by voting, taking part in political discourse and decisions. Some of us are even called to help lead
in our government at a variety of levels.
We are also called to obey civil laws that seek the common good of each
of our members. We pay taxes for
the upkeep of our roads and bridges, education and services to the poor.
As
members of Christ’s kingdom we ought to act in a similar fashion. God wants us to be active participants
in His kingdom here on earth in our faith. This includes our public worship in the Mass and in our
private faith lives in our families.
We ought to obey God’s commandments, both those that agree and disagree
with our civil law. And yes, we
are to give of our time, talent and treasures—not of our leftovers or surplus,
but by giving a true tithe—ten percent.
I
recently heard an insightful quote from facebook: “Barack Obama may be my
president, but Jesus Christ is my king.”
All of us should be able to agree with this statement, whether or not we
voted for our president or not this past election. And we should be able to say similar statements: “I have to
drink my morning coffee, but Jesus is my king. I love playing hockey, but Jesus is my king. I care deeply for my family and
friends, but Jesus is my king. I
am an accountant, but Jesus is my king.”
Is
Jesus truly the King of your life?
If not, in what ways is He calling you to go deeper into His kingdom?
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