Psalm Reflection: The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe - Cycle C

“Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.” - Psalm 122

Growing up my mom’s side of the family always had a big annual Christmas party. As a kid I would always ask the same questions:

“Are they coming?!?”

“Is this person going to be there?!?”

I was always excited to see my family, but there were certain cousins, aunts and uncles that, if they were going to be there, made for the most memorable and hysterical moments for me.

At one such party, my aunt and uncle had a new above ground pool, and it being a sunny 75 degrees in Southern California in early December, the cousins and I brought our swimsuits to enjoy some swimming. At one point, one of my favorite cousins put his hands on either side of my head, picked me up by my head, and threw me into the pool. Despite my neck popping and thinking I might be dead in mid-air, I was fine and it became a joyful core memory of those gatherings.

As time went on, relatives passed away, got divorced or moved out of state. All of us cousins are grown up and now have busy adult lives. The gatherings have gotten smaller and less frequent.

Maybe the same is true for you.

Maybe this time of year, when families gather for the holidays, is a time of year you dread.

For you, it might only be a gathering of difficult personalities with unending opinions about religion and politics.

Maybe it is painful because people are missing that you wish you could celebrate with.

Maybe you are alone or far from home and you have no one to see and nowhere to go.

We have these negative reactions because we recognize there is a good version of these experiences that we are lacking or missing out on. We all have transcendent desires for love and belonging. Family life is messy and can often fall short or disappoint those desires or expectations.

However, the Psalmist reminds us in this Sunday’s Responsorial Psalm, that there is nothing but joy waiting for us in the house of the Lord.

The word Catholic is derived from a word meaning “universal.” As James Joyce once put it: Catholic means “here comes everybody.”

You are part of a much bigger family. You have your own seat at the eternal table in Heaven alongside the Saints and Angels. You have an invitation to the eternal banquet where every person and experience is joyful and exciting.

Marriage, family, community, friendship and churches are all a glimmer, a foretaste or that perfect community that exists in Heaven.

They can be messy, but they can be joyful in the mess.

And the incredible thing is that, when we live in pursuit of Heaven, the grace and joy of the Lord overflows out of us in such a way that those around us are affected. The more we cultivate a desire for Heaven in our hearts and act upon it, the more Heaven actually manifests in our lives and the lives of those around us.

So, this week and in the coming weeks of the holiday season that will be filled with gatherings, some of which you might dread and some you may be totally psyched for, unapologetically      love for Heaven. Live for Heaven in such a way that you can bring joy and light into tense, dark and negative environments. Be a source of healing and peace for others (Hebrews 12:14). Share the reason for your hope (1 Peter 3:15-16). Allow the light of Christ to shine through you, and you will experience glimmers of Heaven on earth.

I am praying for you, please pray for me, and I will see you in the Eucharist.

Matt