Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King.
This observance goes back to 1925, when Pope Pius XI initiated it as a feast, originally observed on the last Sunday of October. In 1969, Pope Paul VI elevated the feast to the rank of a solemnity and moved it to the last Sunday of the Church year.
Why establish such a feast? As Pope Pius XI said in his encyclical, Quas Primas, "If to Christ our Lord is given all power in heaven and on earth; if all men, purchased by his precious blood, are by a new right subjected to his dominion; if this power embraces all men, it must be clear that not one of our faculties is exempt from his empire. He must reign in our minds, which should assent with perfect submission and firm belief to revealed truths and to the doctrines of Christ. He must reign in our wills, which should obey the laws and precepts of God. He must reign in our hearts, which should spurn natural desires and love God above all things, and cleave to him alone. He must reign in our bodies and in our members, which should serve as instruments for the interior sanctification of our souls, or to use the words of the Apostle Paul, as instruments of justice unto God. If all these truths are presented to the faithful for their consideration, they will prove a powerful incentive to perfection."
To access the encyclical of Pius XI in which he explains the reasons for establishing this feast, please visit:
This observance goes back to 1925, when Pope Pius XI initiated it as a feast, originally observed on the last Sunday of October. In 1969, Pope Paul VI elevated the feast to the rank of a solemnity and moved it to the last Sunday of the Church year.
Why establish such a feast? As Pope Pius XI said in his encyclical, Quas Primas, "If to Christ our Lord is given all power in heaven and on earth; if all men, purchased by his precious blood, are by a new right subjected to his dominion; if this power embraces all men, it must be clear that not one of our faculties is exempt from his empire. He must reign in our minds, which should assent with perfect submission and firm belief to revealed truths and to the doctrines of Christ. He must reign in our wills, which should obey the laws and precepts of God. He must reign in our hearts, which should spurn natural desires and love God above all things, and cleave to him alone. He must reign in our bodies and in our members, which should serve as instruments for the interior sanctification of our souls, or to use the words of the Apostle Paul, as instruments of justice unto God. If all these truths are presented to the faithful for their consideration, they will prove a powerful incentive to perfection."
To access the encyclical of Pius XI in which he explains the reasons for establishing this feast, please visit:
The assigned readings for the observance of this solemnity during this liturgical year are 2 Samuel 5:1-3, Colossians 1:12-20, and Luke 23:35-43. The assigned responsorial psalm is Psalm 122 (verses 1-5).
The Gospel reading (Luke 23:35-43) is:
The rulers sneered at Jesus and said, "He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God." Even the soldiers jeered at him. As they approached to offer him wine they called out, "If you are King of the Jews, save yourself." Above him there was an inscription that read, "This is the King of the Jews."
Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us." The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, "Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal."
Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." He replied to him, "Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."
The Gospel reading (Luke 23:35-43) is:
The rulers sneered at Jesus and said, "He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God." Even the soldiers jeered at him. As they approached to offer him wine they called out, "If you are King of the Jews, save yourself." Above him there was an inscription that read, "This is the King of the Jews."
Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us." The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, "Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal."
Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." He replied to him, "Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."
For a good reflection on this observance and on this Gospel passage, please visit:
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment