Psalm 46 (New Jerusalem Bible)

Luke 1: 68-79 (Common English Bible)

Christ the King Sunday, was called “the feast day” that celebrates the full authority of Christ as King and Lord of the Universe. And it is a feast-day at the Salem Presbyterian Church with a lot of Turkey, and all are welcomed

The feast was originally celebrated on the final Sunday of October, the day before “All Saints’ Day.” Pope Paul III moved the feast to the last Sunday before Advent in 1969 to highlight the days’ importance.

Many Christians don’t know the history of the title,”Christ the King.” The feast is actually a recent new addition to the liturgical calendar.

There are countless passages throughout the New Testament where Jesus is referred to as “King.” Some of these include Matthew 27:10 which says, “Now Jesus stood before the governor Pontius Pilate, and the governor asked Jesus, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Revelation 19: 6, also says, “On his robe and his thigh he has a name, inscribed as “King of Kings’ and Lord of Lords. 

The title is not that of an earthly King which so many Jews were expecting. The Jews were waiting for someone other-through Rome’s control of Judea. But Jesus’ title asking as King does not bind him to earth.

The first Feast of Christ the King was instituted by Pope Pius XI in 1925 and was to be celebrated throughout the universal church. The feast day was in response to the rise of fascism and even recently it has come to the United States. In June there was a protest against wanna be kings or dictators. It was a good turnout in Salem I was glad to be a part of. Dee Davis. As Pope Pius and other faithful Christians began to see the respect and reverence for Christ’s authority of Jesus, it seemed to be diminishing in Europe.

Some of the major roles of a King is to protect the poor. Jesus focused on the poor and the marginalized during his early ministry. There are many examples in the Gospels where Jesus brought the sick to healing and life.  

We know from the Scriptures that Jesus is the “way” which is so misunderstood because it’s been used for exclusivism instead of inclusion. The way of Jesus would cover people like Mahatma Gandhi.

Psalm 46 is involved in that era when it’s most difficult to believe that a good and loving God is in charge of the world. Those who surveyed the churches in America, the Sunday after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001, noted that Psalm 46 was the most commonly preached text that week. Substitute the “fall” from skyscrapers, or mountains falling into the sea.  

Of course even the Psalms acknowledge there will be disasters when tornados strike. Opening this Psalm is when God says to shatter spears and cause war to cease.

In the final Year C Lectionary, we are reminded Christ became our Sovereign Lord and King on a cross. This Psalm comes directly out of the times of trouble and war. It is precisely by recalling these realities that it can become a reality to you.  

Sometimes we have this urge to shake our fists in the direction of heaven to let loose with a Psalms lament. But there is always hope to see through all of life’s haze and smoke.

Advent 2025 is right around the corner. Psalm 46 is with you with its lyrical music. It comes to be used whenever we need it. AMEN