On Top of the World…
I grew-up in a town with “Hill” it its name, so needless to say there were many opportunities to find good places to go sledding with friends in the winter or challenge one another to “King of the Hill,” the childhood game in which, basically, a ‘king’ or ‘queen’ stays atop the mound while others try to push him or her off. (We were easily entertained back then … and also frequently injured!)
It came with bragging rights, of course, if one became the neighborhood ‘king’ after a consistent number of victories. He or she became the de facto leader, the popular one, and the one considered physically stronger than the rest. We all wanted to be “King of the Hill” in our own little corner of the world.
What a contrast, though, to the way ‘kingship’ is defined on this Feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. Whereas most of us connect the title to concepts like domination and supreme power over others, our Lord shows us a different way. His Kingship and power is shown through humility, through acceptance of the Cross, and through the willing embrace of the suffering of others. Kingship for Jesus is not about force or bragging-rights; rather, it is about living the Truth in Love and in self-emptying service to others.
Imagine how different the world would be if the kings and queens among us – be they heads of government or preteens playing neighborhood games – took a page out of Christ’s playbook instead.
On behalf of Fr. Gebhart, Fr. Dunne, our deacons and staff here at Immaculate Conception parish and St. Jude mission, we wish you and your families a blessed Thanksgiving Day. Know how grateful we are for your support, your presence and your love for us.