Sunday, November 25, 2018
Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
Christ, King
of the Universe
We celebrate today that
Christ is King of the universe, thus ending the liturgical year. I have been
thinking for some time about what this solemnity means for us Catholics living
in a democratic republic, and one where there is a separation between church and
state.
Over the years, the
Supreme Court has interpreted the First Amendment's Establishment Clause as it
applies or not to expressions of religion in the various realms of public life.
While the Founding Fathers wanted to protect religious liberty, some parishioners
I have talked to, perceive a certain social pressure to keep their religion
always private. For example, many Catholics feel embarrassed to even make the
sign of the cross before saying grace in a restaurant, or to speak about their
faith to coworkers.
Although it may seem banal
to state the obvious, today’s solemnity of Christ the King reminds us that our
primary commitment is to God. We are first and foremost citizens of God’s
Heavenly City. The Founding Fathers of the nation intended a nation built on
liberty and justice, but as St. Augustine says, “there is no justice save in
that commonwealth whose founder and ruler is Christ.”
When the question of
cooperation and involvement with the Roman Empire came up in the 4th Century
once Christianity was no longer outlawed, the option taken by the Church was
that one could be both a good citizen and a good Christian. May God help us to
view everything as pragmatic to best serve the cause of Christ.
God Bless, Fr. Carlos, O.S.A.
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