God delights in surprises. Mary was surprised, to say the least, when she was told she was carrying the Messiah. Moses was surprised when God spoke to him through a burning bush. Who knows what the disciples were thinking when Jesus appeared to them in the midst of a storm, walking on water? God must find some joy in surprising us.
So as we celebrated the “Reign of Christ” last weekend, we were surprised to discover that his reign looks nothing like that of the monarchs with whom we are familiar. Instead — surprise! — God’s reign is found among the homeless and the hungry. God is revealed through vulnerability and mercy, not power or pomp and circumstance. The Reign of Christ invites us to experience the surprising presence of God, right here on earth.
Yes, Jesus is a different kind of king. And those who follow him, well, our lives are to be different too . . .
So as we celebrated the “Reign of Christ” last weekend, we were surprised to discover that his reign looks nothing like that of the monarchs with whom we are familiar. Instead — surprise! — God’s reign is found among the homeless and the hungry. God is revealed through vulnerability and mercy, not power or pomp and circumstance. The Reign of Christ invites us to experience the surprising presence of God, right here on earth.
Yes, Jesus is a different kind of king. And those who follow him, well, our lives are to be different too . . .
