Forgiveness and blessings from the King

  Today the psalmist in the texts from the Roman CatholicLectionary exhorts ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord!’ (Psalm 122:1) The leaders of the ten northern tribes of Israel approach David in Hebron, the site of many important events in Jewish and Christian history, to go to Jerusalem and be the king of a united Israel. The Kingship of David according to Elna K. Solvang of Concordia College is expressed in the Book of Samuel as Israel's hope does not rest in a dynasty but there is hope that from the house of David will come forth trustworthy leadership, attentive to the voices of those in need, and in faithful service to God's goals for Israel and the world. Friar Jude Winkler examines the hymn of praise to Jesus in the first chapter of the Letter to the Colossians wherein Jesus is God truly present, who reigns over the spiritual entities of angels. This assertion is to address the theme in Greek philosophy which held that things spiritual were superior to things of the flesh. Today is celebrated in Roman Catholic and Anglican communities as the Feast of Christ the King. DrTaylor Marshall writes that Pope Pius XI promulgated an encyclical on Christ the King titled Quas primas December 11, 1925. The Holy Father issued it to mark the “sixteenth centenary of the Council of Nicaea” held in AD 325. The Council of Nicea in AD 325 defended the divinity of Christ from which flows Christ’s royal claims over humanity. Father Larry Gillick SJdraws us to consider the Eucharistic meal in comparison to the family meals which we celebrate at this time of year. The plan of God for people is proclaimed as a message of forgiveness and blessing from the King of the Jews on a throne of the Cross. Father Larry notes that the elders and the Romans saw their security in the death of Jesus. Linda Pepe understands the invitation of Jesus to stand with Him in Paradise as the kingship which brings the message to us about how far God is willing to go to free to the oppressed…. to ensure that the hungry are fed, and the naked are clothed and the poor are cared for and the sick are healed.