It's A Pretty Solid Idea

The church calendar is a seasonal one, so it’s perhaps not surprising the new year doesn’t begin with January 1, it begins with the season of Advent. It might seem like Christmas is already here in lots of ways, but Advent provides a time of reflection and preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus. It’s worth taking the time to pause and wonder as we journey towards the nativity.

Hang on, though, we’re not there yet. That’s next week.

One hundred years ago, Pope Pius XI had an idea that, given the state of the world, there should be a Sunday that reminds people that Jesus should “reign” in our hearts and minds, that bringing the kingdom of God here (as Jesus talks about) would mean living as if Jesus ruled our daily lives. So the day’s called Reign of Christ or Christ the King Sunday. It was originally earlier in the year, but then moved to the last Sunday before Advent as a timely reminder of the King’s power before the King comes.

Hmm. Again, hang on a minute.

I think the Pope’s idea is pretty solid, really. Jesus didn’t teach behaviour, he tried to show us how to live, recognizing and embracing the divine spirit that’s in each of us, the essential good that’s at the heart of our being. Living true to who we are means living true to that, being that and sharing that with the world. If that’s the kind of “rule” or “reign” we’re talking about, I’m on board.

But the images of kingship and reign were already kind of dated a hundred years ago. For me it conjures up the image of power over people - and the abuse of that power - and a sense of inequity and a hierarchy that I don’t think was on Jesus’ mind. I wasn’t there to ask him, but the life of Jesus was all about power with people, not over them, and empowering them to find that divine spirit within themselves, to love with equity, to serve others.

One might argue that Jesus breaks the traditional model of king and offers something new, or at least tried to remind people of their ideals around kingship, but I wonder if we’re capable of unpacking all its baggage and reframing it that way. Especially in a world with “No Kings” protests and leaders who claim absolute power or behave as if their “rule” can’t be challenged.

But maybe there’s other images that might bring us to a better understanding of how Jesus shows us to live the love in our hearts, the inherent good that’s in us, the life that comes from knowing that divine spirit that’s in all living things. Maybe king or queen or a regal image works for you. What about a teacher? We often hear Jesus called that in scripture. What about a mentor? Guide? Companion? Friend? Therapist, even? What about the most intimate, engaging, integrated, connected, loving, cherished, faithful, generous, deepest relationship you can possibly imagine, what about that one?

That’s how Jesus wants to be known and lived. Imagine that ruling the world.