Christ the King Sunday

The Church gives us this incredible Solemnity in all Love to help remind us, and so grow in a greater understanding of the dual nature of our Lord Jesus Christ. Fully human yet fully Devine, God become man so as to help us better accept this relationship of salvation which he offers us each day. As Moses was not allowed to stand on the ground near the burning bush, and Elijah hid his face in his cloak as the Lord passed by, lest he die from gazing upon the glory of God, we too need to be reminded of the diety of Christ. A true Brother, Teacher, Friend and Companion our Lord Jesus Christ remains our Lord and God as well. If we allow ourselves to focus on only one nature, whether man or God, we miss the significance of the act of salvation in that the presence of God incarnate was and is the act which allowed our salvation to be made available to us. God allowed Himself to share such intimate communion with his creations so that his suffering and death might be tied directly to us, so that we might better understand and accept this redemptive act. Praise be to God !!
As we come to accept and embrace His Diety, this day also calls us to acknowledge in thanksgiving His humanity as well. As we are all, everyone of us, created in the image of God. Each of us with the same potential for good. Our choices, or responses to life events, direct us either to God or away from Him. Christ Himself was tempted in the desert as the devil tried to use his humanity against him, yet his choices re ia Ed faithful to the Law of God rather than the gratification of man. That example was for our benefit that we would have guidance when asked to decide between our human desires and the ways of God. That we would follow our teacher in all things as we live among and interact with our fellow man.
Today's Gospel reminds us that we are to search the face of Christ in all people and his beauty in all creation. From the lines of perfection in a blade of grass to the wanting eyes of the homeless, we are reminded of the presence of Christ in His handiwork. Sometimes easier said than done, the pressures of appointments, our personal desires or just our unwillingness to acknowledge our fellow travelers, we hurry past the faces in the crowds. We drive by the homeless living under our bridges along the highway, we hurry past the growing number of nursing homes and senior care facilities yet seldom take the time to visit those inside, and we do our best to avoid that uncomfortable eye contact with that guy with a sign asking for money at the red light. All are missed opportunities to encounter the Risen Christ in our midst. There is a church in a Canadian Province that has at it's door a life size sculpture of a beggar squatted on the ground with outstretched hand. At first glance you might think, "Oh great, the church wants to boost collections again.",but under closer inspection we notice the nail print in the hand. As we look under the hood viel of the downcast face, we come face to face with Jesus.
Today take a moment to reassign priorities. Take time for the passing stranger, feed those in need, visit the lonely. We are all traveling the same road, yet the burden is lightened when we take the time to search out the risen Christ in our brothers and sisters along the way.

God Bless you this day!