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WORD MADE FLESH

LASHA MORNINGSTAR

Christ the King – November 20, 2011
Ezekiel 34.11-12, 15-17| Psalm 23 | 1 Corinthians 15.20-26, 28 | Matthew 25.31-46

Mention monarchy and most folk's ears perk up. The most recent bit of chatter came out of Perth, Australia, when Commonwealth leaders gathered to discuss items of common interest.

England's Prime Minister David Gordon proposed changes to allow a royal's daughter to be queen, changing a centuries' old rule that said sons took precedence over older sisters.

They also decided to lift the ban against British monarchy's marrying Roman Catholics. And yes, they could already marry Muslims, Jews or people of any other religion.

Kings abound around the globe – some despots, some part of a generational monarchy, some self-appointed dictators.

Journalists watch these various monarchs and their multitude of relatives with rabid interest, reporting their every action, every misadventure, every birth, marriage, death.

Would that they devote such attention to Christ the King.

At one time – not so long ago – newspapers had religion editors – journalists assigned to bring information of all religions to their readers. Usually these were people of deep personal faith who never let their own beliefs impinge on the ethics of their reporting.

They informed. At times provoked. Most even had their own columns. But no more.

At best for most newspapers there might be a half page or so on Saturday with a story that too often is plucked from a wire service.

Yet they are missing the story so many readers want to/need to read . . . the story of Christ the King.

At a time when city murder rates send media types running to criminologists for answers, shelters are scrambling to prepare for the onslaught of a predicted bitter winter and more and more homeless, workers - untrained, skilled and degreed alike – are searching for work – we need the guidance, comfort of Christ's words.

A KINGLY PSALM

How many, in the depths of despair have turned to the comfort of Christ the King's psalm this week – The Lord is my shepherd? Taught to us as children, the words, said slowly, absorbed into our heart and soul, begin to calm our troubled mind, with many of us finally saying, "Over to you God," and putting our trust in the Lord.

Christ as King? Yes in heaven.

But here on earth he served people. Christ fed the multitude with loaves and fishes, turned the vats of water at the Cana wedding feast into wine.

FOOD BANKS

Food Banks Canada just released stats telling us how many people use the food banks each month – 851,014 – the population of New Brunswick. Alberta's figures show a 74 per cent increase since 2008. It is through us – our donations to shelters and the Marian Centre – that allows Christ to feed today's hungry.

The mural on the wall in the Marian Centre underlines the verity of his words in the Gospel's Matthew 25.35 "For I was hungry and you gave me food." The haunting silhouette shows a line of street people waiting for their stew and in the midst of that line is Jesus.

Harken back to his words, "Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me" (Matthew 25.40).

Such astounding words from a king to us, his people. Christ tells us to treat our fellow men and women as if they were him - Christ the King.

THE KING'S ADMONITION

How often do we respect his wishes? How often do we turn away from the poor, the sick, those in prison? Out of sight, out of mind is the easy answer. But remember our King's admonition should we not follow his wishes.

"These will go away into eternal punishment" (Matthew 25.46).

Subjects here on earth bow to our human kings.

But to Christ the King, we fall to our knees in reverence and prayer. Again, if we open our hearts, silence the worries and chattering nonsense that hijacks our mind, Christ serves us, mending our fragmented souls and his truth surfaces to comfort and guide us.

Yes. Christ is our King – both here on his earth and – should we abide by his guidance as to how to treat our fellow man and woman – in heaven.