NOVEMBER 24, 2019
7:30 AM, 10:30 AM (SUN) ORDINARY FORM MASSES
The fourth century BC philosopher Aristotle is known as the Father of Western Philosophy. Among his many writings are six works specifically on Logic (known as the Ὄργανον – or “Instrument”). One of these six works is titled Κατηγορίαι or The Categories.
The Categories is his singularly important work in that it not only presents the backbone of his theorizing, but also had a major influence on western philosophy from that point on. Aristotle enumerates the variety of things that can be spoken of, as well as what can be said of those things.
More specifically, he lays forth ten categories: (1) substance; (2) quantity; (3) quality; (4) relation; (5) location; (6) time; (7) position; (8) having; (9) acting; and (10) receiving.
In the Categories, according to Aristotle, every object of human apprehension can be described using these ten categories.
Today is the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe.
If we were to immediately apply human categories on the term “King,” we would perhaps consider the terms “figurehead” or maybe “tyrant.” Human kings, indeed fall short in many areas. And in our own day and age, leadership – even in elected republics – is sorely lacking.
In the first reading from Second Samuel, we hear of King David. He was anointed king twenty years before – as a mere boy. Considered so insignificant that the prophet had to keep asking his father Jesse if he had another son. Yet now, two decades later, he is King of Judah; and the remaining eleven tribes come to him, asking him to be their king as well.
They call him “[our] bone and [our] flesh” – terms not only of relation, but also words used in covenant making in the ancient world. They also recall the word of the Lord God spoken by the prophet,
You shall shepherd my people Israeland shall be commander of Israel.And the word translated here as “agreement” is the Hebrew word בְּרִית (bᵉrîyth) – which is indeed a covenant – more than just an agreement, but rather it is a joining of persons and uniting of families.
In the Letter to the Colossians, St. Paul lays out Jesus’ qualifications. Even in the first century, many people gave Jesus lip-service, but failed to give Him pre-eminence. They sought to de-throne Him and considered Him just one of many spiritual guides.
St. Paul emphasizies that Jesus is (1) the Savior Who (a) rescues His people, (b) leads them into His kingdom, and (c) pays our debt – ultimately freeing us from sin and death.
He goes on saying that Jesus is (2) the Creator Who (a) existed before all creation, (b) created all things, and that (c) all things exist for Him – as we pray in this liturgy, “through Him, with Him, and in Him.”
Finally, Paul tells us that Jesus is the Head of the Church – meaning more than just “leader” or “ruler” but also “source,” “origin,” and “beginning.”
Finally, in the crucifixion scene from Luke’s Gospel, above His head is the inscription, “This is the King of the Jews.”
Jesus reigns from the Cross … the Cross is His throne, and in his interaction with the Good Thief (a unique feature of Luke’s Gospel) Jesus holds court from this unlikely throne – passing judgment, and granting pardon to the Penitent Thief.
The rulers, the soldiers, and the other thief see only the earthly categories: a convicted criminal, found guilty and executed through a slow, cruel, and painful torture and eventual death. While what was actually before their eyes was the Son of God, reigning from the Cross, and conquering sin and death. All through the power of Divine, self-sacrificing, agape (ἀγάπη) love.
As we approach this altar to receive the Sacred Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ – let us look upon the scene that holds the central place on the reredos of the high altar. Let us gaze upon it – not with human eyes and earthly categories – but rather with the eyes of Faith. And see our divine and heavenly King ... reigning eternally and conquering sin and death – and in that moment renew our covenants of love with Him, as we receive Him in the Most Holy Eucharist.
