Sunday, November 17, 2024

As we approach the end of the Church year and the feast of Christ the King, our readings can be scary, talking about the end times in what is called apocalyptic language.  The purpose is not to scare us, but to invite us to live as we should and trust in God’s love and protection.  Over the course of my life, I have become a little better at doing that, but it has been a struggle.  A couple major events helped me.
 
When I was 17 and a senior in high school, I was diagnosed with tuberculosis, a death sentence in those days.  As my parents were taking me to the sanatorium in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where I would be locked up, my mother said to me, “God loves you and will take care of you.”  I kept saying that to myself and He did: my parents gave permission for me to be experimented on with new drugs and they worked right away (they are the go-to drugs today): in less than a year, I was released.
 
When I was 35, I was smashed between two cars when I stopped to help someone who had slid off the road on black ice.  It looked like I wouldn’t walk again.  Once again, my mother reminded me of God’s love and protection.  It took nine months, but I was able to walk again.
 
These were two dramatic incidents in my life, but there were many smaller ones.  I suspect if you reflect on your life, remembering times you were in a bad place or felt threatened, you will find that God was there and helping you get through it.  What a wonderful gift our faith is! 
 
As we approach the celebration of Christ the King, let us thank Him for being a King who always walks with us and supports us.  We are truly blessed.
 
Church sign: No God - no peace.  Know God - know peace.