An acquaintance of mine, Fr. Tim Ferguson, penned this poem about the supremacy of Christ over all state and political actors throughout human history. This weekend, as we celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, reflect often on this poem and keep in the back of your mind Christ’s consoling words as recounted in John’s Gospel: I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world (16:33).

​I have seen the crowds hail Caesar, and then call for Caesar’s head.
Praise the great king’s coronation, then drag his family from their bed.
I have watched as empires crumble, and successor states collapse;
Seen petty politicians draw and then redraw the maps.

I have watched as enslaved peoples throw their chains off to be free,
Then themselves become oppressors in their newfound liberty.
The crowds who danced with jubilation, as they victor’s triumph led;
Soon cry out for revolution, for rebellion, or for bread.

Through the centuries, I linger, as the nations rise and fall,
Sometimes favored, sometimes harried, sometimes large, but often small.
My allegiance never wavers, it is Thee, of whom I sing:
Thou alone are my True Master, Christ my Savior, Christ my King.

Praised be Jesus Christ! Now and forever. Amen.

David J. Conrad

The Thirty-Fourth or Last Sunday of the (liturgical) Year⎯Christ the King ⎯is filled with images of God’s care for us as He brings us safely home; His shepherding us to our final rest and judgment.  The second reading from St. Paul to the Corinthians is a reading commonly used for the Resurrection Mass (funerals). We are challenged by The Gospel of St. Matthew today in order to ask ourselves if we are indeed, prepared for final judgment ⎯and whether we will inherit the kingdom.

Mr. Paul Covino of Today’s Liturgy writes that this Feast of Christ the King was established in 1925 to “counter the destructive political forces of the age.  Instead of the promises and ideologies of particular political parties or the lure of consumerism, the king that Christians have pledged to follow is one who identifies with the poor and who will judge followers on what they did for these least ones. The king is described as a shepherd who promises to tend his sheep.” These are wise words of warning in this particular and partisan political climate…

The readings at the end of this liturgical year speak of our preparedness for the end times. We harvest the fruit of our life and labor and we witness the cessation of life in the onset of winter.  We await the return of spring and the rebirth of life⎯we look to the Advent of new beginnings and the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Always there follows new life after death, thanks to the extraordinary mercy of God. Today we celebrate Christ’s victory over death and his reign now and in the life to come.

Next week we begin the season of Advent.  Several things change with the change of the liturgical season; our acclamations for the season, etc.  We will sing in this season of longer darkness of the coming of the Lord as the Light of the World. Please Save the Date of Sunday, December 10 at 4pm for the Advent Pageant: The Light of the World. This is the St. Aidan Music Ministry Christian Service Project to refill our food pantry for Christmas post the giving of Thanksgiving Baskets for the poor. Come and sing about the Light and help the poor and needy. Please be as generous as you are able. Thank you!

Keep Singing!

​Elizabeth Dyc