Throughout the year, we present an article in the bulletin each week on a variety of topics, written by a member of our Parish staff on a rotating basis.

Educating In Faith

by Theresa Lueke

Back in August, I had an amusing conversation with a colleague in which we spent a (not insignificant) amount of time bemoaning our past selves.  Why didn’t my May-self clean the classroom carpet?  Why didn’t my May-self reorganize the science materials?  Why didn’t my May-self purge the file cabinet?  Why didn’t my May-self get the bulletin boards ready for August?  We knew that our May-selves were just tired and wanted to get started on summer, but our August-selves were not pleased, nor were they kind to our May-selves.

Most people have a similar experience on New Year’s Eve.  We think back on our year and relive our regrets.  We vow that this year will be different and we make our New Year’s resolutions to combat the excess of the holidays and the mistakes of the previous year.    As Catholics, we find ourselves at our Liturgical New Year’s Eve.  Next Sunday, we celebrate the First Sunday of Advent and the hope of new beginnings.  But today, we reflect on this past year.   Jesus even offers us a rubric for our reflection.  Did you feed the hungry and give drink to the thirsty?  Did you clothe the naked and welcome the stranger?  Did you care for the ill and imprisoned?

Officially, today is the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe.  That is a very lofty title and our readings are filled with grand images of royalty.  As we studied this Gospel in class, my students were captivated by the particulars of the angels, and by which nations showed up before the throne – but these are not the details that Jesus wants us to take away.  Time and time again, Jesus reminds us that true greatness and power are derived from the care and the love that we show one another.