Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
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November 21, 2021
(The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe)My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
I write this letter jointly with members of the Presbyteral Council. The intention of the letter is to call all of us to a renewed spirit of unity and peace. We want to encourage eve1yone to reflect on our moral responsibility to be peacemakers who promote unity even though we live in a time of acute political and civil polarization.
Today we celebrate the feast of Christ, the King of the Universe. He is the Son of Man, the Alpha and the Omega, and the firstborn of the dead. His Kingdom is everlasting, and all peoples will serve Him. As members of the Catholic Church, we enjoy a special unity in Him in his word and the Eucharist and, through Him, with one another.
The political climate in our society is characterized by harsh rhetoric. As Christians we can temper this with humility and charity. We are all co-responsible for living and fostering unity in our Church and society. As the Body of Christ, we start by grounding ourselves in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. o·nly then will we become trustworthy in the eyes of all people. As St. Paul, the Apostle writes, "I urge you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in whatyou say, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose" (] Corinthians I: IO).
Maintaining unity has been, is and always will be a challenge. The early Church's unity was challenged over the issue of how to introduce non-Jewish converts to their numbers. The disagreements had the potential to divide them; yet the leaders of the early Church worked out their differences peacefully so that the mission of the Church could go forward to proclaim Jesus and the Good News. This peaceful way of resolving disputes has been the pattern since the time of the apostles through Councils, synods, and simple, peaceful, fraternal conversation, and so it must be for us today.
Twenty years ago after the attacks of 9/11, Americans put their differences aside and came together. In the last two years, we have faced and endured a different disaster: a deadly pandemic that has cost thousands of lives. This is a time for us to come together in faith, hope, and love. This is a time for us not to disagree but a time to be who we are in Christ Jesus. This is a time for us not to judge one another but to be of service to one another. For all Christians, unity is essential because Jesus prayed for this gift the night before His death. Pope Francis has po1trayed this when he writes, "walking together, praying together and working together is the way that leads to Christian unity." By sharing our Christian lives with all of God's people, praying with and for them, and giving witness to our Christian faith through action, we grow in the unity desired by the Lord for his Church. We are called to build and strengthen the unity for which Jesus prayed following the Last Supper (Jn 17). It is the unity that reflects the very life of God as Trinity.
The next several weeks are among the most joyful weeks of the year. In the spirit of joy that characterizes these days, let us heal our differences, forgive, and love one another by service. May St. Joseph, whom we honor as the patron of the Universal Church inspire us to stati anew by strengthening our unity with Christ the King and with one another.
Please be assured of my prayers and the prayers of your pastors throughout the approaching seasons of Advent and Christmas.
We also wish you a Happy Thanksgiving this coming week.
Sincerely in Christ,
Most Rev. Wm. Michael Mul y, STL, DD
Bishop of Corpus Christi
and members of the Presbyteral Council
