Reflection for Christ the King Sunday

“And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.”

This Sunday we celebrate the festival of Christ the King, the last Sunday of the church year. Our liturgical calendar is set up with Advent as the first season, the beginning of the year. Therefore, this Sunday is the last Sunday of the year. It’s hard to believe that we are so close to Advent, but we are.

           

This is also our last Sunday before Thanksgiving, a time when we celebrate all that we have been given, all the bounties of God’s creation, all the good things in our lives. Whether we gather together with family for a big feast, or celebrate quietly at home, it is a holiday when we can take special time apart to recognize that all we have comes from God.

But what do Thanksgiving and Christ the King have to do with each other? How do we celebrate these two events together? Though we ought to recognize that we give thanks to God on Thanksgiving, it is really a secular holiday, one focused on consumption, and acting as a gateway to the Christmas buying season.

Well, I think that our reading from Paul this week may give us some idea of the answer. “And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.”

Fullness is certainly something that we can associate with Thanksgiving, but there is more here. We may have trouble identifying with the term “Christ the King.” After all, we aren’t a people who have regular experience with kings; it’s just not something we are familiar with. But this line from Paul gives us an idea, and when coupled with Thanksgiving, it may be one we can really hold on to.

“And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things…”

God, who has created all things, has put Christ over all things, the head over all things, with the church as his body. When we celebrate Thanksgiving, and praise God for all that has been created, we can also celebrate Christ the King, and praise God for this marvelous head that leads us into all creation, boldly, without fear.

The one who made all things, rules all things, holds all things, loves all things, is the one who made us, who loves us, who leads us.

Thanks be to God.

Amen.