58 Following Christ the King

On Sunday, we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King, this is the last day of the Year of Faith.  We are reminded in the Catechism of the Catholic Church that: 

Dove a symbol of the Holy Spirit
flying above a Baptismal font
On entrance to Baptistry Lancaster Cathedral

CCC 783 Jesus Christ is the one whom the Father anointed with the Holy Spirit and established as priest, prophet, and king. The whole People of God participates in these three offices of Christ and bears the responsibilities for mission and service that flow from them.

CCC 1546 Christ, high priest and unique mediator, has made of the Church "a kingdom, priests for his God and Father." The whole community of believers is, as such, priestly. The faithful exercise their baptismal priesthood through their participation, each according to his own vocation, in Christ's mission as priest, prophet, and king. Through the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation the faithful are "consecrated to be . . . a holy priesthood."

When we are baptised we are anointed with Chrism, which is used again at Confirmation when the gifts of the Holy Spirit are confirmed.  As this year of faith comes to an end we are still called to consider how we will respond to God's call to us to be priest, prophet and king.  

 What will you do?

58 Icon of Christ the King

Our Year of Faith closes on the feast of Christ the Universal King. This feast day is celebrated on the last Sunday of the liturgical year and the following Sunday sees the beginning of Advent. Christ the King is a title for Jesus based on several passages of scripture. Pope Benedict XVI has said that Christ's kingship is not based on 'human power' but on loving and serving others. Christ is our King and we are called to enthrone him in our lives by loving and serving others as he did. 

CCC 1159 The sacred image, the liturgical icon, principally represents Christ. It cannot represent the invisible and incomprehensible God, but the incarnation of the Son of God has ushered in a new "economy" of images:

Previously God, who has neither a body nor a face, absolutely could not be represented by an image. But now that he has made himself visible in the flesh and has lived with men, I can make an image of what I have seen of God . . . and contemplate the glory of the Lord, his face unveiled. 

Christ the King:
Lancaster Cathedral Te Deum Window

57 Particular and Universal Judgement

Charles Filger: The Last Judgement (1890s)

The Catechism explains that when we die there are two types of judgement.  Particular judgement which happens when we die and is individual, and universal judgement at the end of time, when Christ will come again. The judgement is not ours to make, it is important for us to remember that we are not called to judge, rather at this time of judgement we will as it says in St Paul's letter to the Corinthians:

“At present we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then face to face. At present I know partially; then I shall know fully, as I am fully known” (1 Corinthians 13:12)

Particular Judgement: 9th Century Icon

CCC 1021 Death puts an end to human life as the time open to either accepting or rejecting the divine grace manifested in Christ. The New Testament speaks of judgement primarily in its aspect of the final encounter with Christ in his second coming, but also repeatedly affirms that each will be rewarded immediately after death in accordance with his works and faith. The parable of the poor man Lazarus and the words of Christ on the cross to the good thief, as well as other New Testament texts speak of a final destiny of the soul--a destiny which can be different for some and for others.

Apostles' Creed:  I believe ...
The spirituality discussions based on the Apostles Creed that have been taking place at St Thomas More looked at the articles of faith which are linked to statements I believe in resurrection of the dead and life everlasting.  The group used St Paul's letter to the 1 Corinthians Chapter 15  as a basis for lectio divina, sacred reading and followed this by sharing their images of heaven.

Images from focal area for spirituality session

57 The Last Judgement

Michelangelo's 'The Last Judgemenf'
For larger image 

The Last Judgement is referred to in the Bible and particularly in the Gospels. It refers to the belief that one day Christ will come in His glory with all the angels and in his presence, every person's relationship with God will be judged. 

CCC 635 Christ went down into the depths of death so that "the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live." Jesus, "the Author of life", by dying destroyed "him who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and [delivered] all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong bondage." Henceforth the risen Christ holds "the keys of Death and Hades", so that "at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth."

Today a great silence reigns on earth, a great silence and a great stillness. A great silence because the King is asleep. The earth trembled and is still because God has fallen asleep in the flesh and he has raised up all who have slept ever since the world began. . . He has gone to search for Adam, our first father, as for a lost sheep. Greatly desiring to visit those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, he has gone to free from sorrow Adam in his bonds and Eve, captive with him - He who is both their God and the son of Eve. . . "I am your God, who for your sake have become your son. . . I order  you, O sleeper, to awake. I did not create you to be a prisoner in hell. Rise from the dead, for I am the life of the dead." 

For further information about the history of the painting and explanation of what Pope Paul III who asked Michelangelo to paint this fresco (wall painting) including a video with an explanation of  details of the painting see Smarthistory 

Why not come and have a look at what else Paul III did, and the Popes who came before and after him - by coming and having a look at the Year of Faith timeline at Lancaster Cathedral - Wall of Faith

56 Mission Box: Missio Children's Mission

Screen capture of Mission Together Website 

Children helping children 

is the motto of Mission Together the children's Mission charity.

May all children

In the world

Share love

Share friendship

In the peace

Of God’s love

Now and forever

56 Mission Box

Mission Boxes

The Church is called to be missionary, which means, to proclaim the Gospel to those who do not believe in Christ. Every member of the Church should be united in this task. We are called to share the Gospel with those in our local community through what we say and how we behave. Our example may speak louder than words so that others see our way of life as followers of Jesus and want to find out more. At other times, we may be called to speak out about Jesus' teachings and example or the teachings of the Church. Some people dedicate their lives to missionary work in other countries where they bring the teachings of Jesus to those who haven't heard them through their love and care for others, their prayer life and by sharing the Gospels with them. The Church raises money to support missionaries in their work. One way to do this is through the APF (Association for the Propagation of the Faith) Red Mission Box. The boxes are kept in Catholic homes and money is collected in them. The money is sent to the APF and distributed to help bring God's love and hope to the poorest and most in need people throughout the world.

CCC 854 By her very mission, "the Church . . . travels the same journey as all humanity and shares the same earthly lot with the world: she is to be a leaven and, as it were, the soul of human society in its renewal by Christ and transformation into the family of God." 
...Missionary endeavor requires patience. It begins with the proclamation of the Gospel to peoples and groups who do not yet believe in Christ, continues with the establishment of Christian communities that are "a sign of God's presence in the world," and leads to the foundation of local churches. It must involve a process of inculturation if the Gospel is to take flesh in each people's culture. There will be times of defeat. "With regard to individuals, groups, and peoples it is only by degrees that [the Church] touches and penetrates them and so receives them into a fullness which is Catholic."

55 Book of the Dead

Book of the Dead moved to the altar during November

CCC 1032 This teaching is also based on the practice of prayer for the dead, already mentioned in Sacred Scripture: "Therefore [Judas Maccabeus] made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin." From the beginning the Church has honoured the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God. The Church also commends alms giving, indulgences, and works of penance undertaken on behalf of the dead:

Let us help and commemorate them. If Job's sons were purified by their father's sacrifice, why would we doubt that our offerings for the dead bring them some consolation? Let us not hesitate to help those who have died and to offer our prayers for them.