This past week, as part of my preparations for Advent, I re-watched a movie that came out a few years ago called The Star. In a way that is strangely accurate for a Hollywood movie, it tells the story of the first coming of Christ. The movie begins with the Annunciation by the Angel Gabriel to Mary, when she receives the news that she will be the Virgin Mother of the Christ child. It presents how difficult it was for Mary and Joseph to understand the task that had been entrusted to them to be mother and guardian of the Messiah and the extremely difficult circumstances that they undergo as the Christ child is born. As Mary and Joseph are forced to leave their home of Nazareth and go to Bethlehem to register for the census that has been called for by Caesar Augustus, we see that even for the Holy Family, life at times was very difficult. The movie also presents the story of the three Magi and the jealousy that King Herod had when he heard that a new king was to be born in his territory. He sent out soldiers to destroy the child and prevent him from reigning within his kingdom. The movie tells of the many shepherds and animals that are led to the simple birth place of the Messiah by a great star that lights up the skies and a heavenly choir. Continue reading →

“The Father has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:13).

On the last Sunday of every liturgical year, which this Sunday is, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Christ the King—King of the Universe. Next Sunday, we will begin a new liturgical year as we celebrate the First Sunday of Advent.

The Solemnity of Christ the King takes place on the last Sunday of the liturgical year to remind us that at the end of time, Christ will come to judge the living and the dead. The solemnity is intended to remind us that we are to be ready to meet Christ when He comes by being ready to meet Him today and always. While Christians have always believed that Jesus was their king, this liturgical feast was established in 1925 by Pope Pius XI. He instituted it in troubled times to remind Catholics that the worldly powers that were causing such political turmoil at the time were only temporary and passing. The true Kingship over humanity belonged to Christ and Christians ought to be more concerned with following Christ than those passing worldly powers. At the same time that Pius XI instituted the feast, he suggested that as it was celebrated all Catholics ought to renew their consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Pius XI’s motto as Pope was: “Christ’s Peace through Christ’s reign.” Continue reading →