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November 25, 2023Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. As we come to the close of our liturgical year, we are also preparing ourselves for the Advent Season and the coming of the Birth of Our King and Savior. Have you ever stopped and wondered why God allowed His only Son to be born in a lowly manger rather than the foot of a mighty throne? He was not brought into this world in a royal manner as we see the offspring of those presented to the world throughout the kingdoms or nations of the world. But, God’s son was wrapped in swaddling cloth to protect his skin from the hay and placing him in a makeshift cradle. Our God of all the Living, planned this entrance of “Our King,” Our beloved Savior and Shepherd of All, to occur providentially in this way. Jesus was placed in a manger that was a feeding trough for animals. In Hebrew, Bethlehem means House of Bread. As a grown man, when Jesus brought His mission to the earth, He proclaimed, “I AM the bread of life” (John 6:35;48). In the Eucharist, the Living Bread, the same Jesus who was carried in the Womb of the Virgin Mary before she delivered Him in Bethlehem, is the same Jesus that we receive in Holy Communion.
This past Thanksgiving Day, at Mass, we were given a small loaf of bread to take home to share with family and friends. This gift was meant to be shared as the Lord, Our King, nourished the world. Today, we receive Jesus, Our King, the Living Bread, in the Eucharist. On the Day we gave Thanks for His blessings, He bestowed on the World, as on this day, we celebrate Our Good and Humble King. As we give homage to Our King, we celebrate Our Good Shepherd, Who cares deeply for us. Let us nourish each other and share the Bread of Life to all that are vulnerable in the world around us.
May we imitate Our King!
Fr. John
