The Solemnity of Christ the King Cycle C

Our readings for Sunday are here.

These are the poem, my notes, and interpretations of Fr Dennis’ homily from the Masses of

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The songs Fr Dennis Dillon, SJ references these years are:

2019 homily — When the Stars Begin to Fall (trad) sung by the Tannahill Weavers
2016 homily — Give Me Jesus (trad) sung by Jessye Norman
2013 homily — Give Me Jesus (trad)

In 2019 notes, we reflected that —

The end time themes, like the traditional When the Stars Begin to Fall, embed new hopes (“what a morning”) with the endings. This is what we know from Christ’s life and death; it all brings newness and salvation. There are no promises about the Way, just that it is the Way to and with Love Loving.

In 2013, we reflected that —

The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, is an observance originated in the 1920s by the Church as a statement against the totalitarianism of Russia, Germany, and Spain, which were persecuting and murdering those who weren’t syncophants to the state. No personal dignity or sacredness.
With Christ as King, each of us has dignity.
The United States can feel different, but we had sanctioned and institutionalized slavery (no personal dignity or sacredness) which has simply changed form in our culture over the centuries; it has not been eradicated. Racism remains a great weight. Yet Christ was a huge call to Africans for freedom from exile, from slavery (Moses), for the Good News, for Christ’s Kingdom, and thus they could not be kept down in spirit because of Christ the King. Or perhaps more accurately, Black spirituality and abiding faith in Jesus raised up in dignity and love and forgiveness those who believe.
D2 played one of Jessye Norman’s versions of “Give Me Jesus.”
The simplicity but power of the message, particularly arising out of the African-American … or any marginalized or oppressed people’s experience. Jesus is enough.
The featured image is the original art, “Glimpses from the New Creation,” created by W David O Taylor.

Thirty-Fourth and Final Sunday of Ordinary Time,