SOLEMNITY OF CHRIST THE KING:
TESTIFYING TO THE TRUTH
PART 1: HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
The Celebration of Christ the King was instituted by Pope Pius XI in 1925. Pius XI and the rest of the Christian world witnessed the rise of dictatorships in Europe and saw Catholics being taken in by these earthly leaders. The Feast of Christ the King was instituted during a time when respect for Christ and the Church was diminishing. These problems have not vanished but instead have worsened. Pius hoped the institution of the feast would have various effects. These effects include:
1. That nations would see that the Church has the right to freedom and immunity from the state.
2. That leaders and nations would see that they are bound to give respect to Christ.
3. That the faithful would gain strength and courage from the celebration of the feast & be reminded that Christ must reign in our hearts, minds, wills, and body.
PART 2: TESTIFYING TO THE TRUTH
“ For this I was born, and for this, I came into the world, to testify to the truth, Everyone who belongs to the truth, listens to my voice.” Jn 18:37
Jesus tells us what it means to belong to the truth, that is, to listen to His voice. This means that we are to become instruments of:
1. TRUST.
This is about Faith. Jesus invites us to be instruments of trust. Trust is one component of faith. Trust in the Lord with all your heart (Prov 3:5).
One who trusts the Lord from the heart should
♥ detest false testimonies and misconduct,
♥ should live in the truth and not hide in hypocrisy,
♥ should prove oneself as worthy of trust in small and big things.
Jesus is our security, promising peace to those who put their trust Him. In other words, God promises peace to those who embrace a truthful life.
2. RECONCILIATION.
This is about Relationships and Healing. Jesus invites us to be instruments of forgiveness and healing.
“whoever is in Christ, is a new creation. He says that this gift of being created anew is from God, who has reconciled us to himself, through Christ, and who has given us the ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:17-18)
♥ Let us bring to others the forgiving love of God.
♥ Let us be forgiving.
♥ Let us also encourage others to be forgiving.
♥ Let us remember that only love renews all things.
3. UNIVERSALITY.
This is about Vision.
♥ The word Catholic is derived from the Greek adjective καθολικός (katholikos), meaning “universal”. It was used as early as the time of Ignatius of Antioch (35-107 a.d.), a contemporary of the apostle John, and was later used in 325 a.d. as a binding term within the Nicene Creed, which has been recognized by all Christian churches throughout the world and throughout history.
♥ Thus, a Christian Catholic is guided by Godly principles that apply to all, at all times.
♥ Universality is also about seeing and living the Big Picture. It is thinking globally, and acting locally.
♥ And, as we already know, the first condition needed to see the big picture is Light of God.It will not be possible to see the whole picture of God’s universal role in our lives if we continue to live in the darkness of sin.
♥ Expose these dark areas to the Divine Light of God’s Mercy through remembering, repentance and reconciliation.
♥ For unless we see the big picture, we will be unable to see where there’s a missing piece, and the roles that God and our attitude play in the big game of life.
♥ Do you see the Catholic picture? Do you see the Whole Universal picture of your place in God’s plan? Are you really still catholic in your faith, hope and love?
4. TOUCH OF GOD.
This is about Love.
Jesus invites us to be His very own hands and heart.
We can only be the instruments of the Master’s touch if we have allowed ourselves to be touched by His love.
♥ Jesus, after his tassel on his cloak was touched by a sick woman, asked, “Who touched me?” (LK 8:45)
Jesus still asks us the same question, Who among you has ever touched me with so much faith and love?
We also become instruments of His Touch when we think of the people who have moved us to deeper faith and more genuine love. Love them back and pray for them.
♥ Is there anyone we know whom God has touched positively in an emotional, intellectual and spiritual way recently through you? Let us Pray for them.
5. HEAVEN.
This is about Hope.
Jesus reminds us in the Gospel of John, In my Father’s house there are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for you. (Jn 14:2).
Jesus invites us to be instruments of Hope to this world, now going through its widowing time.
WAYS OF BEING BRINGERS OF HOPE
CORPORAL WORKS OF MERCY
1. Feed the hungry
2. Give drink to the thirsty
3. Clothe the naked
4. Shelter the homeless
5. Visit the sick
6. Visit those in prison
7. Bury the dead
SPIRITUAL WORKS OF MERCY
1. Convert the sinner
2. Instruct the ignorant
3. Counsel the doubtful
4. Comfort the sorrowful
5. Bear wrongs patiently
6. Forgive injuries
7. Pray for the living and the dead
These are based on the teaching of Christ and on Church practice since apostolic times. There are, indeed, many roads to being a sacrament of hope to others.
EPILOGUE
In summary, how do we testify or live the Truth?
By being instruments of:
Brosh Legaspi 
You must be logged in to post a comment.