This is the last Sunday of our Church’s liturgical year. The Church celebrates the Solemnity of Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. Jesus is not only Lord of all space but also Lord of all time from the beginning to the end, as is stated in our second reading from the Book of Revelation: “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “the one who is and who was and who is to come, the almighty.” (Revelation 1:8) In a year that seemed dominated by the awful Delta-variant of COVID-19, we need to remember that Jesus is still has dominion and power over everything, from A to Z.
There is a technique of writing in a poetic way in which the first letter of each line spells out the alphabet or a word. This is called “acrostic”. Scripture uses this technique about a dozen times as a poetic way of saying that a total coverage of the subject is offered. Psalms 27 and 119 are perhaps the best examples of this. If you look in your Bible at these Psalms it likely will break the psalm into verses listed under each letter of the Hebrew alphabet (Aleph, Beth, Gimel, Daleth, etc.). Although we don’t see this very well when it is translated in English, be assured that in the Hebrew each line begins with the appropriate letter. Particularly impressive is Psalm 119 which has 8 verses starting with each Hebrew letter (there are 22 letters in the Hebrew alphabet) for a grand total of 176 verses making it the longest chapter in the whole Bible. Not only that, Psalm 119 which focuses on the Word of God also uses in every line one of nine words for “instruction”: law, statute, commandment, precept, testimony, word, judgment, way, and promise. Go read Psalm 119. It’s amazing!
Since we celebrate Thanksgiving this week and Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega and everything in between, I’m going to try my hand at an acrostic of things for which I’m thankful. I suggest as a prayer exercise you attempt this on your own as well (or if you get bored—good luck with the letter “X”)!
I am thankful for…
Agape (Greek word for unconditional love)
Brothers & Sisters (Beer a close second)
Confession
Dads
Eucharist
Friendship
Grace
Holy Orders
Inspiration by the Holy Spirit
Jesus
Knowledge
Life
Moms
New Covenant
Our Father
Prince of Peace Parishioners
Quotes from the Bible & Saints
Religion (also Running)
Saints and Sacraments
Time, Talent, Treasure, Turkey
Unity
Vocation
Word of God
Xmas (The Greek letter Chi “X” stands for “Christ”)
You
Zeal
Peace,
Fr. Greg