Religious Education   

This weekend we celebrate the feast of Christ the King. Pope Pius XI initiated this feast at a time when the world was in turmoil. 

Despite the end of World War I in 1918, the world was not in a settled state. Although the two decades that followed should have been a time of healing and reconciliation, political instability continued with the growth of Fascism in Europe and in 1929, the economic turmoil of the Great Depression, set the scene for tragic steps towards the onset of another World War in 1939.

These troubling circumstances led Pope Pius XI in 1925 to declare that these “manifold evils in the world” had resulted from humanity removing “Jesus Christ and his holy law out of their lives” so that “there would be no really hopeful prospect of a lasting peace among nations.”

To counter this concern, the Pope initiated The Feast of Christ the King, to remind people it is Jesus Christ our King who is really in charge of this world, not some ambitious dictators. To reinforce this understanding, the date for this feast day was to be Sunday ending the liturgical year, prior to the beginning of Advent, to remind us of Jesus’ birth, and in doing so, foreshadow the Second Coming of Christ as our everlasting King.

Needless to say, it doesn't seem like much has changed in the past 100 years and perhaps now is the perfect time to reflect on the significance of this feast and try to bring about the Kingdom of God .

Just as a key is used to unlock, to open, to reveal something, so God sent us his son, Jesus, who has given us the keys to live good lives.

Jesus unlocks the door to compassion, justice and peace. He showed us how to live in right relationships by using the keys of kindness, forgiveness and understanding.

Jesus showed us that, if we use the keys he has given us, we can be happy and bring about the Kingdom of God here on earth.

In the gospel, Jesus gives us some different kinds of keys. Jesus’ keys show us how to live good lives and be in right relationships with each other. He gives us the keys we need so that we can build the Kingdom of God.

• Jesus shows us the key of justice which we can use to care for those who are hungry and thirsty.
• Jesus shows us the key of understanding which we can use to be welcoming and accepting of people whom we don’t know very well or are new to us.
• Jesus shows us the key of compassion which helps us reach out and care for people who are lonely and afraid.
• Jesus shows us the key of forgiveness which we can use to show generosity of spirit and mercy to others.
• Jesus shows us the key of peace which will help us to live in harmony with others and be peace makers.
• Jesus shows us the key of generosity so that we can look to the needs of those who are vulnerable and helpless.
• Jesus shows us the key of love which helps us to treat others just as we would like to be treated.          

How  might we use the keys Jesus has given us to live happy and peaceful lives which focus on looking after others?

Thank you to everyone who has donated goods for our Backpack Drive. We will be packing the backpacks next week so if you haven't donated anything yet, IT'S NOT TOO LATE!

On another sad note, we express our sincere condolences to Cath Passante whose beloved mother passed away earlier this week.

May God give Cath and her family strength and comfort at this sad time and may the angels carry her mother to the Lord most high.