Solemnity of Christ the King (“B”)
November 25, 2012

Q. 712: Why are some people publicly trying to squelch the existence of God today?

A. 712: The “ORDO,” or “Order of Prayer” produced for the seven dioceses and archdioceses of Iowa and Nebraska, lists this full title of this special Sabbath celebration today: “Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe.” How fitting and appropriate, because the readings all point to the universal kingship of our Lord Jesus Christ! This solemnity was established in 1925 by Pope Pius XI as a contrast to the secularism that was unrestrained in society at that time. Such a secularism focuses on materialism; ignores the virtues and values that flow from God’s natural law; ignores the existence of God in our daily lives; and tries to eliminate God entirely from public notice.

The Council of Vatican II in the 1960’s was very faithful to the church's traditional doctrines. However, as Cardinal Donald Wuerl (Washington, D.C.) pointed out just last month, the implementation of the Council's wonderful teachings in the 1960s and 1970s coincided with a "current of secularism sweeping the Western world," especially Europe. The Cardinal said “It's almost as if a tsunami of secularism washed across Western Europe and, when it receded, it took with it all of those foundational concepts: family, marriage, right and wrong, common good, objective order."

Today we find those same basic virtues and values under even more intense and constant attack by our Godless secularism, with severe assaults on the unborn, the elderly and even religious freedom. Such was the critical analysis by Archbishop Lori (Baltimore) last month.

KNOW YOUR CATECHISM! Christ redeemed all humanity; He must always reign in our minds, wills, bodies and hearts (Quas Primas, 33; Encyclical of Pope Pius XI, 1925). All must be prepared to confess Christ before men, even despite persecution: “...whoever denies me before men I will also deny before my Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 10:32-33; CCC 1816).

Deacon Paul Rooney
Mary Our Queen Parish, Omaha

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