The Solemnity of Christ the King reminds us of the victory that is ours because of the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In St. Paul Plaza, we have a beautiful statue of the Infant Jesus crowned as a king, looking quite triumphant and holding the world in His hand.  In our Psalm today we sing, "The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty."
A more sobering depiction of Christ the King is presented in today's Gospel, where Jesus appears before Pilate tied up as a criminal.  Pilate asks Jesus, "Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus responds by saying that His kingdom does not belong to this world. Christ's kingship is very different from what the world understands as kingly power. The depiction of Christ's crucifixion, in the icon in our sanctuary, is a vivid reminder that it is Christ crucified who is our eternal and universal king. It is only through the suffering, death, and resurrection of Christ that we can fully experience His kingship over our lives. 
  Recently, we celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation with our second graders for the first time. What a moment of grace when these children experienced the awesome power of Christ the King bringing them forgiveness.
Here, in this sacrament, the power of Christ the King is manifested. His kingly power washes away sin, and restores a soul to grace. This is the power we all need to experience often in our lives, since we are constantly in need of God's mercy. When we seek out "him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood" (Revelation 1:6), we are able to experience the peace that only He can give. 
In today's liturgy, the Prayer over the Gifts reads, "Lord, we offer you the sacrifice by which your Son reconciles mankind. May it bring unity and peace to the world." We are reminded in that prayer that it is the sacrifice of Jesus Christ that will bring us the unity and peace we so desire.  It is the sacrifice of Christ the King that brings reconciliation. We live in a divided world, nation, and Church. 

The more we recognize the Kingship of Christ, and the more we are conformed to Him, the greater will be our unity and peace. 
When Christ is the King of our lives, then sickness, suffering, and death take on a new perspective. 

We realize that these things have no power over us, even though they temporarily seem to crush us.  Christ the King has overcome sin and death, and when we follow Him as his faithful servants, we, too, share in His victory.

THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS invite everyone to pray an Advent Rosary in St. John's Chapel of the Angels on Sunday, December 10, at 2:00 p.m. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed in the 43-inch World Apostolate of Fatima Monstrance by Father Skluz�ček before the Rosary begins, and he will give a Benediction at 3:00 p.m. If you have questions, call Maury at (651) 633-8333, ext. 1224.

� Sunday, December 17, 4:00 p.m.
Communal Penance Service with Individual Private Confessions & Absolution

� Wednesday, December 20, 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Individual Private Confessions

� Thursday, December 21, 7:00 p.m.
Communal Penance Service with Individual Private Confessions & Absolution

� Friday, December 22, 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Individual Private Confessions

� Saturday, December 23, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Individual Private Confessions