Anticipating Christ the King Sunday...

For many in the church, this Sunday will be celebrated as the last Sunday of the liturgical year: Christ the King Sunday. In some circles this is also known as the Realm of Christ Sunday - and while I affirm a deep commitment to inclusive language - I also want to honor the challenge of exploring what type of king Jesus is because his realm is clearly one that turns the status quo upside down! Like Borg/Crossan say so clearly: what would it be like if Jesus were the king of creation and our secular/religious leaders were not?

In this mode I suspect I will be inviting myself and others to recall some of the boldest examples of the great reversal:

+ Forgiveness rather than judgment is the corner stone of this new world with the corollary being compassion as our new language

+ The elevation and honoring of those most often forgotten or abused is another key element in the upside down kingdom

+ And a commitment to humble service as the new expression of power is certain to be a necessary part of the celebration

+ Finally, Christ's parables and radically open table fellowship give expression and form to his parallel society or movement that is always in the world but not a part of it

It is interesting to me that this feast day was instituted in 1925 by Pope Pius XI as a bold challenge to the rise of fascism in Europe. It was first celebrated on the last Sunday in October - the Sunday before All Saints Day - but was changed to the last Sunday in the liturgical calendar in 1969. At the core of this feast is not secular prestige or economic power but authentic love and a willingness to share the joys and sorrows of life in community.

It is also valuable for me to recall that historically the most accurate embodiment of this way of life is found in Mary. I will be exploring, dancing with and being challenged by a Marian spirituality during Advent - especially as articulated in the Magnificat - as my very Reformed congregation and I see what new wisdom she holds for us this season. (Dig this version of the Magnificat being sung as round on the Metro in Brussels!)