It's the Feast of Christ the King today and the readings at Mass present us with a glorious vision of the majesty of God. In Daniel's prophecy we see the Ancient of Days, mystically enthroned in fiery power and the Son of Man given "dominion, glory and kingdom," everlastingly. St. John the Divine takes up the theme, "Jesus Christ" is "the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the prince of kings of the earth," the Alpha and Omega. Triumphant, then everything changes.
In John's Gospel we find Jesus in the Praetorium, on trial for his life before Pilate, before the power of the idolatrous Roman state. We know what comes next, Christ, the King, is scourged, crowned with thorns and crucified. And this jars, it doesn't seem right. Surely Pilate should be whipped as a pagan usurper in the Holy City, and aren't the false prophet Caiaphas along with his followers the ones deserving execution for blasphemy and treason?
Yes, according to the logic of the world, of the Beast, of Caesar, and the math of Satan. But Christ's kingship is not of this world, he says as much to Pilate. No, his is the Kingdom of God, the kingdom of love, and he witnesses this truth to the full with his sacrifice on Calvary. There, on the Cross, Christ manifested his kingship as the God of love, defeating the ruler of this world and inaugurating the kingdom, establishing his dominion over sin and death and reconciling us to the Father.
It is a kingdom which will be fully revealed at the end of time, when our sovereign returns as he left, in clouds of glory. At that point, "every eye will see him, every one who pierced him; and all tribes of the earth will wail" as the beast is burned with fire while the righteous shine like the sun.
But this is for the future. In the meanwhile, the Pilates of our age, of the godless state, to say nothing of false prophets, wax large. As it was in the Praetorium so it is now, Antichrist appears ascendant. And as foretold, they come with lying signs and wonders, "Look, we can conjure money out of thin air, from nothing. We are Gods." A satanic parody of creation, and that's just our financial system; enough to deceive the very elect.
Do not be fooled. They're not gods and neither are we, "It is he that hath made us and not we ourselves." He, Christ, is our true Sovereign, the king of kings and lord of lords who, on his return at the end of the age will blow wickedness away like smoke before the wind and the Beast along with Satan and his apostate angels will be cast into the lake of fire.
Wait for this in confident hope and as we do, as we watch and pray, ask God to fill us with great faith and love such that when he comes our savior and king who reigns from the Cross will recognize us as his own, as his faithful soldiers and servants, sheep of his pasture, sinners redeemed by his precious blood, and will raise us at the meeting to glory.
Christus Rex,
LSP
6 comments:
Good thoughts Padre- we attended a Novus Ordo last night with the in-laws (not able to drive and NO is their preference) and TLM today as we sing in the choir. The priest last night made similar observations as yours above. Attendance continues to creep up in my humble opinion at our TLM. Many more people of all ages since the beginning of the year.
In honor of Stir Up Sunday (today's TLM Collect) we launched two small Christmas puddings. Everyone took a stir with a wish. The puddings will join a large one created this past January that has been mellowing in all its goodness. All three will be consumed at upcoming family / family and friends events.
Had the kids and grandkids over for a wood stacking party after Holy Mass. I estimate enough seasoned wood for two winters of burning. We followed up with homemade vegetable beef soup with several breads and desserts. Life is good.
I find it intensely interesting that Pilate, governor, and plenipotentiary of Caesar, giving it all up to preach Jesus Christ and Him Crucified and ending life as a penitent and ultimately as a saint. We focus appropriately on Jesus the Christ, and on Pilate's role in the crucifixion, but sometimes overlook the power of repentance and setting aside the things of this world.
Repentance for the Sanhedrin's membership who never did "come unto Christ" may be a somewhat rockier road than the one-time-pagan, Pilate.
That sounds like a great day, DOS! It was good here too, in an LSP/Compound kinda way.
And yes, TLM numbers do seem to be rising along with the Ordinariate (trad liturgical Mass for Anglo-Catholic converts using Elizabethan English sort of thing).
I think a lot of younger, intentional catholics are looking for the "real deal" -- and they find that in the trad liturgical movement. I totally sympathize, I was brought up in it in the Anglican part of the Church, Solemn High Mass, three Sacred Ministers, Mozart etc from the Schola/Choir and all of that. Real religion, at least to me.
That in mind, look how far we've com in the last decade, there's been a real resurgence of the Western Rite, with all its converting power.
Enjoy those puddings!
I agree, LL, it's a fascinating tradition. And who knows, perhaps the Copts have it right; Pilate's wife is certainly credited with faith and perhaps that worked on him.
That in mind and to your point, the Gospels portray him with surprising leniency as does the liturgy. Pilate's part in the Passion is a tenor as opposed to the bestial shouts of the false prophet and his followers, the crowd. His is the lesser sin, and Christ says as much, "...he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin."
Me? I'd like to believe he became a saint. And for sure, the power of repentance, just look at the thief on the cross... which puts me in mind of the famous Cure D'Ars in the 19th C. He could read minds, apparently, and people flocked to him for confession. One woman, whose husband had thrown himself off a bridge into the Seine and died, was especially worried. Damnation.
St. Jean Vianney turned to her as he walked through the throng to the confessional and said, without prompt, "He converted on the way down."
Mr. Wolf, there's hope for us all yet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4dR_zuB3qk
awesome, Ed
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