November 23, 2014 The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/112314.cfm

This is one of my favorite days!  Christ is our King!  It is so right that we Worship Him! and Him alone!

The readings today remind us of the kind of King we have ruling us!
The kind of King who came as an innocent, defenseless baby!
One who grew up in a poor family - not in a rich family! (not that there is anything wrong with money)...but God in His great wisdom was showing us that Money and Power mean nothing to Him!

Jesus was allowed to minister for only 3 years.  He walked from town to town (sometimes He took a boat!).  He couldn't reach everyone.  He couldn't minister to everyone.  He couldn't heal everyone!  He was fully human - and fully God.   I still can't even fathom what that must have been like!  Did he know He was fully God?  He sure didn't act like it!

He was humble, full of love - like a shepherd!    Taking care of the lost!  Taking care of the poor!  Taking care of those who were neglected and abandoned!

The Lord is my Shepherd is a perfect Psalm for this day!  Our King didn't come with swords and might!  But with love and forgiveness.

He let the very people He came with love to serve and teach - take Him to the cross.  He did it willingly.  I love to meditate on the fact that He embraced His cross and we are called to embrace our crosses as well.

The Gospel brings us to the point of His life - and the point of ours - to love those
who are  hungry - in body and spirit - 
I was thirsty for water and for love and acceptance
a stranger and you welcomed me - not caring about where you are from or what you have been through
naked and you clothed me - not just naked in clothing - but naked in our hurts and wounds and needs...
ill and you cared for me - all kinds of illnesses - whether we can do anything for them or not, we can at least hold their hands and be there with them.
in prison and you visited me - there are so many prisons - prisons of our minds - prisons of spirit - prisons in abuse...prisons of growing up - being different....We cannot be afraid because people block us out...but come and tell them they are loved!

Christ is our King!  He came for all of us and calls us to reach out to all in unconditional love!  I am called - how honored am I to follow my King!  

Have a blessed week!
Nancy