Living with Strength and Kindliness

This Sunday is the Feast of Christ the King. A relative newcomer to the Church calendar, (established in the 20th century), this feast is about looking at Jesus the Christ. Regardless of what happened to him, Jesus Christ always loved. His example of love was present throughout his life, from his welcoming of little children to his dinner with Zacchaues, to his forgiveness of those who put him to death on the cross.    

This example of love through service and presence, is one which can inspire us in this busy time of year to capture and look for ways to be with someone who may need care or to drop that meal in for the neighbour who is suffering. It can also be a reminder for us here at St Joseph’s to thank those who support and care for us.

The Feast of Christ the King serves to remind us of his love. We are urged not to lose our perspective. Through the power of love, we can effect change in our world and continue to create a life filled with Strength and Kindliness, a world where justice and peace are experienced by all. 

This Sunday is also the end of the Church’s liturgical year. The church’s calendar doesn’t follow the same annual calendar nor the financial year calendar that the rest of us use to mark time. 

A new liturgical year means that we focus on a new Gospel.  In 2024 the daily gospel readings will be taken predominantly from the Gospel of Mark. The Gospel of Mark is one of the three Synoptic Gospels which presents the life and death of Jesus. Mark’s Gospel begins with Jesus Baptism by John the Baptist in the River Jordan. 

Lee Pethybridge

College Leader - Faith and Community