Rector's Rambling - October 30, 2011

A Blessed Christ the King Sunday to you.
Although not found in the 1928 Lectionary as a separate celebration, we keep the last Sunday in October as the Feast of Christ the King in addition to whatever “Sunday after Trinity” it may be.
The celebration was kept on this particular Sunday first by the Roman Catholic Church, and later by many Anglicans. It was seen as an antedote to “Reformation Sunday” celebrated on this Sunday in Lutheran and other protestant bodies. The thought was that although much needed to be reformed in the 16th century in the Church, the Reformation itself was not a cause for celebration because it had caused division in the Body of Christ. By celebrating the Kingship of Christ on this day it is hoped that all the various fellowships claiming Lordship under Jesus Christ, could find common faith, and eventually come into organic unity as One, as Jesus prayed that we all may be one as He and the Father are one. (John 17:21-23).
In the new Lectionary Christ the King is celebrated in the Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran Calendars on the last Sunday before Advent.
This week is certainly a busy one for Feast Days. Tuesday is the Feast of All Saints (which we will also commemorate next Sunday), All Souls Day is celebrated with 3 Requiem Masses on Wednesday (one at Elmwood Cemetery at 10am). Be sure to submit the names of those you would like remembered at the Altar at the 12:15 and 5:30pm Masses in the Chapel.
Finally, a word about tomorrow, Halloween. The word comes from All Hallows Eve - better known as All Saints Eve (ie...the day before All Saints Day). Although the world has secularized it at best, and in some ways demonized it, it can be a fun occasion to celebrate in anticipation the gift of The Saints by hospitality to your trick-or-treating neighbors. But be sure to not get caught up yourself with the creeping superstition of spirit and ghost seeking, or other things that might seek to draw you away from the Love of Christ!