CHRIST THE KING SUNDAY
The Church celebrates the Last Sunday of the Liturgical Year as a solemnity known as Christ the King Sunday. This feast is intentionally placed at the end of the liturgical year, just before Advent, to emphasize the end times and the final judgment of history and humanity by Christ.
Pope Pius XI instituted this feast in 1925 through his encyclical Quas primas, responding to the rise of secularism and atheism. He reminded Christians that their deepest allegiance belongs to their spiritual ruler in heaven, not to earthly powers—particularly the political supremacy claimed at the time by Benito Mussolini.
The Church invites us to acknowledge Christ’s kingship in every part of our lives:
He must reign in our minds, wills, and hearts, and we are called to cling to Him alone. He must reign in our bodies and actions, which should serve as instruments of interior sanctification.
Jesus holds absolute and eternal authority over all creation—over the physical universe, over human life, and over every society. His kingdom is eternal, surpassing all earthly rulers. One day, we will each give an account of our stewardship as we prepare to enter the kingly banquet of His presence forever.
Our response as believers includes:
-
Submission and peace: Surrendering our will to Christ brings profound peace.
-
Empowerment: We are called to proclaim the truth of His kingdom and seek His guidance in all things.
-
Acceptance: We freely and fully surrender to His sovereignty and kingship in our lives.
ADVENT
On Sunday, November 30, we begin the sacred season of Advent, which also marks the start of the new Liturgical Year (Year A).
Advent is a four-week season of preparation and joyful anticipation for the celebration of Christ’s birth at Christmas. The themes of the season—hope, faith, joy, and peace—invite us to reflect on the coming of Jesus Christ. Many families observe the tradition of lighting candles on an Advent wreath each Sunday to symbolize the increasing light of Christ entering the world.
Key aspects of Advent include:
-
Biblical roots: While Advent itself is not directly found in Scripture, its themes of preparation and anticipation run throughout the Bible. Central Advent figures include John the Baptist and Mary, and the season highlights Scripture passages that celebrate hope, peace, and the coming Messiah.
-
The Advent wreath: A central symbol consisting of evergreen branches and four candles—three purple and one pink—representing hope, peace, joy, and love.
-
Advent calendars: A beloved tradition for families to count down the days to Christmas with daily Scripture, images, or small treats.
-
Focus on preparation: Beyond decorations, Advent calls us to prepare our hearts through prayer, reflection, spiritual reading, and family activities.
Advent invites us to anticipate Christ’s birth by deepening our prayer lives, engaging in acts of kindness, and embracing moments of penance.
Let us open our hearts for Christ’s coming, that He may be born within us this season.
