Two-Year Anniversary
Christ the King Sunday 2024
Since I started this Substack at the beginning of Advent in 2022, it makes it easy to remember the anniversary date. Advent marks the beginning of the Church calendar year, and Christ the King Sunday marks the end. Christ the King, or Reign of Christ, Sunday is an incredibly recent addition to the Church’s list of holy days. It was begun in 1925 by Pope Pius XI, when Europe was still feeling quite fractured by World War I, as a reminder that, as Christians, our allegiance is to God above any country or head of state. Many mainline denominations quickly adopted it as well, and it seems just as relevant in 2024 as it did then. Here’s the collect for this Sunday from the Anglican/Episcopal tradition:
Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
As for me, my learning curve in year two was not as steep as it was the first year. I’ve heard from a few of y’all that I appear to be consistently posting, even when I know I’ve missed here and there. For instance, instead of 104 posts if I truly posted every week, this is only post #84 (Substack keeps track for me). Y’all have been incredibly kind as I navigated my concussion recovery last fall and winter and some major life changes this year (see my first post about transitions for more details.) As a result, I have learned to not feel guilty when I do not post, allowing myself some grace, and knowing that I will post again.
Related to first year learnings, I have not again dared to boost any of my posts on any social media. The trolls last year were enough. In addition, the post this past year that garnered the most views was the sermon I preached last summer on “When Healing Isn’t Coming” to a small gathering in a hospital chapel. Good news: I’m working on my next sermon, which I’ll preach the 4th Sunday of Advent and post later that day. It’s called “Emotionally Corrective Experiences.” I’m also giving a homily at a Blue Christmas service on December 23 and I’ll share that with y’all as well. Bonus content 😀
Looking ahead, I plan to turn on paid subscriptions to this Substack at the beginning of December. A few of you have pledged over the past two years – thank you for your support and encouragement! If you have pledged, it means that your pledge will turn into a recurring paid subscription. If you have not pledged but would like to offer some support, it would be much appreciated. I’ve noticed that some Substacks offer perks to their paid subscribers while others do not. I do not have any perks planned to start with, but if you have ideas, I’m open to suggestions.
Thank you, thank you, readers, for your support and kindness reflected back to me and to others with a gentle voice.
