November 26, 2006

     In 1925, Pope Pius XI created the new feast of Christ the King.  The feast received a very warm reception in many countries since, at the time, many countries had kings as rulers.  This meant that many people were able to identify with the term of kingship.  Not only did the people understand the analogy but they had a rather positive feeling for it and felt comfortable with it. 

    Much has gone on in the world over the past eighty years. There are very few kings left anywhere and in many countries, their image has diminished in proportion to their length of absence.  In our country, the idea of King has never been popular.  We fought to be free of the tyranny of a king and value our democratic ideals with our lives.  What then, do we think of this feast of Christ the King?  It clearly does not resonate with our culture.  The expression may even serve to turn many people away from the person of Christ.

    If Pope Pius XI were still with us he would surely look for a new way to help us identify with the reality of Christ in our lives.  His new title would have to help the people to realize who this person of Christ really is in their lives.  That leads us to the questions, “How do we envision Christ in our lives?  What are some of the images that might help us to have a positive, healthy, and respectful relationship with Jesus?”

    Unfortunately, our recent history has led us to a point where we have little respect for any type of leader whether political or otherwise.  If anything, we tend to distance ourselves from the leadership of society.  We are beginning to feel as though we can do better on our own.  This is a very dangerous situation because it leads us to stay clear of the God who loves us and is waiting for us to come to Him in Trust and in Faith. 

    If we have little respect for leadership, whom do we trust?  To whom do we turn in time of difficulty or sorrow?  Perhaps many of us turn to family members, i.e., our mother, our father, or even a brother or sister.  Others probably turn to friends.  Still others turn to spiritual mentors. 

    When choosing a title for the person of Christ, we do not want to limit ourselves to something that will lead us to the impression that he is our equal.  Although he cares for us as a loving family members does, Christ is not simply a relative.  We need to view Christ as someone who is stronger than ourselves in every respect of the word.  He is a person who has keen insight into the problems of daily life.  He has a strength of character that helps to make the right moral and ethical decisions. He has a heart that encompasses all people, not only a small band of close friends.  

    If we do not have a healthy relationship with the person of Jesus, why is that?  How do we envision him?  Are we stuck with symbols we cannot identify with?  Do we bring him down to a level that prevents us from relating to him as our moral guide, our spiritual mentor, our strength our rock in time of adversity?  How we see Jesus in our lives makes all the difference in the world.  Take some time to reflect on this question this week?  Find a title that works for you.

                            Lorette P. Nault