Introduction
This Sunday is the feast of ‘Christ the King’ Sunday on the liturgical calendar. Not growing up in a liturgical Church, I kinda assumed this was a long standing celebration day, kinda like All Saints Day. Wrong. Seems this was added in 1925 for by Pope Pius XI to remind Christians that their allegiance was to Jesus and his Kingdom and not the fascist one being built by Benito Mussolini. Since WW2 rolled around a few years after, not sure how well the message got through.
Anglicans, Lutherans, Presbyterians and Methodists joined in adding this Feast Day to their lectionary. Now to our ears “Christ the King’ Sunday can sound like a churchy, hierarchical hold-over from the patriarchy but when we remember it was a response to the fascist movement in Europe pre-WW2 it’s way more tolerable. I think it offers a similar antidote to the rising Christian Nationalism today.
Jesus standing against the empire is what His leadership looks like. Jesus “kingship” doesn’t involve domination or triumphalism or nationalism — but the radical, all-powerful compassion and love of Jesus seeking justice for all.
In that spirit, we’re going to spend the afternoon serving food to our sisters and bothers and others at 7 Hills. What a way to celebrate. So come join us at 11:30am at 828 S Seven Hills Ct, Fayetteville, AR 72701this Sunday the 24th, sign up to bring an item to share, help us cook and serve.
Grace and peace y’all,
John Ray and the teaching team
Text: 1 Timothy 6:11-15
