The Solemnity of Christ the King

by Deacon Lorna Goodison on November 17, 2021

The Church’s liturgical year ends with the celebration of Jesus Christ as King. Jesus is the One who came to earth and gave His life, His all, to save us, to offer us hope and purpose, and to draw us into God’s eternal kingdom.  What a great way to end the Church year!

Psalm 89 declares, “The Lord is King, let the earth rejoice!” We rejoice and celebrate the mercy and kindness of Christ the King who by His suffering opened the door to eternal life for us. Christ the King has all power and authority, yet He does not rule by physical and tyrannical might, but with the spiritual power of love, righteousness, justice and peace. But to speak of Christ as king is an insufficient description of the glory, the mystery of God in Christ. The majesty of Christ’s reign transcends the limits of our human languages. So, at best, in attempting to express the inexpressible, we describe Christ’s reign using the imagery of an earthly leader, a king, who subjects nations to his rule.   

In this Sunday’s Gospel (John 18:33-37), Jesus is arrested. Those who feared His power thought that by physical might they gained victory over Him. Jesus is taken first to the religious leader, Caiaphas, who himself, was powerless in administering the punishment he desired.  Jesus was therefore taken to the political leader, Pilate, the Roman governor.  He asks Jesus two questions, “are you the king of the Jews?” “What have you done?” Jesus’ replies, “My kingdom is not of this world…..” Pilate, mystified, asks another question, “So you are a king?” Jesus affirmed his status, “for this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth.”

Jesus speaks the truth with authority. He is indeed king, the One who came to lead us away from the chaos and pain of living only for the physical world, and into the rest of God’s glorious kingdom. Instead of fighting physical battles, to accomplish His mission, He rules with humility. He makes Himself vulnerable to the powers of the world, assured that ultimately, the power of truth, love, and righteousness will prevail, and believers will be drawn into the depth of God’s love. God’s ways are truly ways of glory and majesty, yet rooted in the awesome power of love and mercy. We confidently place our trust in the unchangeable certainty of this King, our Lord Jesus Christ. And so, “to Him who loves us and freed us from our sins, by his blood, and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”   (Rev. 1:5-6)

Tags: truth, love, kingdom of god, suffering, celebration, rejoice, christ the king

About the Author
Deacon Lorna Goodison

Reverend Lorna Goodison was ordained to the Diaconate on April 29, 2007. After discerning a call to ordained ministry, Deacon Lorna completed a process of spiritual discernment and pursued three years of study at the Diocesan School for Christian Studies. She also completed three units of hospice care training through Vitas and for a short while she was a volunteer Chaplain. Highlights of her continuing education activities include a guided visit to Israel and attending the Festival of Homiletics in Boulder, Colorado.

Soon after her ordination, Deacon Lorna was called to serve as Deacon at St. Mary Magdalene. She initiated an outreach ministry to the homeless at St. Laurence Chapel, obtaining the support and involvement of most members of the congregation. This ministry remained a vibrant outreach of the Church until the Chapel closed in 2019.  Other outreach ministries formed include an informal group of members who stay in touch with members who are ill and shut-in. Deacon Lorna remains committed to both the in-reach and outreach ministries of the Church. She has led quiet day reflections for groups within and outside of St. Mary Magdalene. She has often led Deacon’s Masses at small churches without a priest. Of all the ministries in which Deacon Lorna participates, she is most humbled and grateful to be involved in the ministry of praying with congregants facing life’s challenges.

Deacon Lorna serves the Diocese of Southeast Florida as a member of the Disciplinary Committee. She also serves on the Board of Deacons.   

Professionally, Deacon Lorna worked for some years in Human Resource Departments as a Training Manager, but most of her working years were spent in Social Work. She worked with at-risk teenagers counselling them and guiding them to resources to build a meaningful future. The last twenty years of her profession, were spent working with Seniors, guiding them to the resources needed to maintain their safety and independence. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work and a master’s degree in Adult Education. She is now retired, cherishes some alone time for prayer and reflection, but divides her time between the Church and her family which consists of two daughters, their husbands and three grandchildren.

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