Royal Service

The Feast of Christ the King (properly the Solemnity of Christ the King in the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church) is the last holy Sunday in the western liturgical calendar. We usually shorten that to Christ the King Sunday in the Protestant Church. In 1925 the Pope established this Sunday as a response to nationalism and secularism. I would say that on balance, and a quick review of 20^th Century history, that it did not work. That’s not to say it wasn’t a great idea. I personally think it’s a great idea but for reasons more important to the common man than to governments and earthly kingdoms. Here in the USA it’s a great day to bring out the big anthems and get on board with the whole concept of the royalty of Christ. I find that concept particularly interesting because as a general statement of truth Americans are fairly uncomfortable with the idea of being ruled by anyone. Over the years a few have tried to ascribe some sort of royalty to the Kennedy family but it has never stuck. No doubt the Kennedys have enjoyed being treated like royalty, but normally most working class Irish would be the last to advocate bowing and scraping to anyone with a title.

When I was a young man I worked with a guy who by all accounts was a good old boy. We didn’t seem to like each other much and as my boss he made sure that if a hole needed dug I was the one handed the shovel. Every once in a while he would leave his office and come out to see how the work was going. We worked for a utility company and I often had to dig things up to repair them. On rare occasions he would pick up a shovel and join me in the trench. His transformation back into the man he was before they chained him to an office was always instant and surprising. Digging and getting dirty, he would laugh and encourage me and even take an interest in whatever band I happened to be in at the time. I could see in him the man he used to be, the man he was meant to be. His title was “Manager” but he never wore it well. I think his real title was “helpful friend.”

Anyone fortunate enough to have a title should spend a fair amount of time wrestling with whether they are living in to it and up to it. I’ve had various titles ranging from service tech to store manager. Musically I’ve been a band leader, worship team leader, and my current position as Minister of Worship and Art. I come from two working class families and I have good reasons to be proud of both. My heritage is one of service, and if you know me, you know that I function best when I am assured that I am doing a good job and that I am a help to those I serve. Biblically I can relate best to David, the shepherd boy, and Peter, the fisherman. I serve by teaching and pressing those who work with me to strive for their best. Often my service requires grace and patience when they fall short. Honestly, like most of us, my success can sometimes be measured by the number of times I fail and fall, but I am determined to fall forward. Falling onto your face isn’t as bad when you start from your knees. Humility goes a long way as does a sincere apology. Don’t misunderstand me, you should know fully who you are in Christ, but that very knowing allows you to go forward in strength while at the same time recognizing your own need for grace.

As always our great example is Jesus Christ, the King of kings. What did our King do with his title? He served. He taught, prayed, comforted, fed the hungry, welcomed the little children, invited the sinner, healed the sick, raised the dead, washed the very feet of those he ruled, allowed himself to be humiliated and scourged, and ultimately gave up his life. All so we could see the Father and enter into the only royal kingdom that has ever mattered. Jesus is the King Eternal (1 Timothy 1:17), King of Israel (John 1:49), King of the Jews (Mt. 27:11), King of kings (1 Tim 6:15; Rev. 19:16), King of the Nations (Rev. 15:3) and Ruler of the Kings of the Earth (Rev. 1:5). John the Revelator describes a new song lifted up to our King in chapter 5 of the book of Revelation:

“You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slaughtered and by your blood you ransomed for God saints from every tribe and language and people and nation; you have made them to be a kingdom and priests serving our God, and they will reign on earth.” (NRSV)

We are a royal priesthood and that’s a title worth living into. We didn’t earn it, and the point is we couldn’t earn it. It’s been given to us by grace. Each year, as we move from Christ the King Sunday and begin to sing the songs of the Advent of Christ, let us remember that Christ Alone is worthy. May our royal service be a sweet perfume, a new and lovely song, an offering to the Lion and the Lamb, our King.

Copyright November 2010, John P. Van Dusen
The painting is, "St. Joseph, the Carpenter" by Georges de La Tour , ca. 1640's