In a few short weeks, I will turn 70, and enter into a whole new decade of my life. It seems as if these decades are coming along faster and faster. I wouldn’t be surprised if I turn 80 by next Thursday. And so, as is likely typical for many of you as you approach a new decade, I too have been taking time to look over the past 10 years and ask myself …. how did it go? Did I do the things I wanted to do? Say the things I wanted to say – to the people who needed to hear those words? Did I experience life deeply and richly, or did I just coast through. And ultimately, did I spend this past decade living out of the core sense of who I am, being true to what my purpose in life truly is.
Now, it is true that perhaps I had a bit of a head start. You see, back in the 1980’s, when businesses left and right were working on creating mission statements, outlining their vision and their core values, I took time to discern my mission in life. Looked at what core values I wanted to build my life around. Created a vision for how those values could be made real in my life. And then created a personal mission statement that has traveled with me for over half my life. So it made reflecting on this past decade a little easier for me.
But you don’t have to have a personal mission statement, or be entering a new decade in your life, to take time to reflect. Today, the Feast of Christ the King, marks the end of our liturgical year. Next week we begin a whole new year. And so it seems to me that as we finish off this year, it might be worth us taking some time to reflect on the past 12 months, and ask ourselves “how did it go?” Did you do the things you wanted to do? Say the things you wanted to say? To the people who needed to hear those words? Did you experience life deeply and richly, or did you just coast through. And ultimately, did you spend this past year living out of the core sense of who you are, being true to what your purpose in life truly is as a beloved daughter and beloved son of God.
Only you can answer those questions for yourself. And the answers you discover are not to make you feel guilty, or shame, or to beat yourself up for the times you may not have been all that God created you to be. No, not at all. Rather it is to see and celebrate the times when you were living in resonance with God’s presence, and to ponder how you can do more of that in the future.
Now, it may well be for some of you, that the opportunity to reflect on those questions has not come up before. And if that is the case, then allow me to provide a suggestion that comes right out of the name of today’s Feast. The Feast of Christ the King. And it comes from reflecting on just what kind of King Jesus was.
When we think of the word King, it brings up images of Rulers. Images of power and wealth. Images of privilege and pomp. Images of wars and armies. Is that the image of King that Jesus would want to be associated with? I don’t think so.
Jesus came to reveal the very nature of God to us – and how did God’s nature become evident? Was it through displays of privilege and power? No. Gods nature became evident in the humility of a child born in a stable. Gods nature became evident in a human being who spent his time with the poor and needy, with those that society saw as having little or no worth. Gods nature became evident in a person who traveled his world speaking NOT of power, control, domination, but of love, humility and service to others. Gods nature became evident in a person who spent his life and died in the service of humanity
Is there a message here? I think so. We live in a world where people aspire to power and control. And if we are honest with ourselves, we aspire to power and control too. And yet, as followers of Jesus the Christ, we are called to live as he did. As a servant. To make a conscious choice to view and treat others as your best friends. To look for the good in people. To be patient and forgiving . To take time to understand people by slowing down and being fully present to them.
Perhaps, when we look over the past year, we can discern those times when our lives mimicked how Jesus lived his life, and how through his life, God was revealed more completely to us. I suspect that in the most important parts of your life – you will see those connections to God.… as a Spouse, in your concern and love for the other; as a Parent, in your meeting the needs of your children with tender compassion. I also suspect that you already know the deep feeling of satisfaction when you have done something good for others. That feeling deep within your very Soul. A feeling of being aligned with your purpose in life. And a closeness to God. And is this really a surprise, given that the very nature of God is Love and Service?
So perhaps in this coming week, as we finish out this liturgical year, we can take some time to reflect on how well our lives have modelled the way Jesus lived his. Of how well our lives have resonated with God’s presence within us and around us. To celebrate those times when in this past year we have felt the presence of God in our very soul. To celebrate those times when in our actions in the world and our love for others and our joy at serving them, we have been a channel of God’s love to all.
It seems to me to be an ideal way to wrap up this year, and to prepare for the new year beginning next Sunday. And you don’t need to be turning 70 to do it.