Christ the King…

Sometimes I am amazed that we get to live in a place where we are surrounded by wildlife who co-exist with the human invaders of their natural habitat. When you live in Estes Park, Colorado you get to experience moments like the one pictured above. This younger Bull Elk was walking across the parking lot of Presbyterian Community Church of the Rockies like he owned the place! The funny thing is, he is not the Senior Bull of the herd. When he bugles, not many females respond. So even though he acts like he is King of the Parking Lot, he really isn’t the King in the Elk world… yet!

This Sunday we will observe the last Sunday in the season of Pentecost which is Christ the King Sunday. Many of the bloggers that I follow struggle with the almost medieval imagery of Jesus as some sort of Potentate with a big crown and scepter. It hardly seems fitting for a homeless carpenter from Nazareth in Galilee. Yet we who will preach this weekend will have to struggle through the concept and see what God has for us to share from the pulpit on Sunday.

So as I sit with the texts from Psalm 132:1-12 and John 18:33-37, I am going to simply be still and allow the passages to wash over me in good Ignatian fashion. Just like I often find myself pondering in amazement my four legged neighbors who co-exist with their two legged neighbors, I will simply ponder and be with the readings for Sunday.

My neighbors the Elk, Deer, Ducks, Geese, Rabbits, and Mountain Lions (we saw one in the headlights as we returned from dinner in Greeley, Colorado a couple of weeks ago) have taught me to slow down… to be still… and to let God speak to my heart.

Just as this hopeful King of the Herd pictured above spoke to my heart, so I hope that over the week, Jesus will help me to re-frame the whole concept of kingship and what this Sunday is supposed to be. When I look at this particular Bull Elk, I don’t see a King in waiting… I see a beautiful creature created by God. In the same way, when I look at Jesus, I don’t see a King in royal splendor… rather I see one who could be King but who instead chose to be a servant of all.

So, in the words of Samuel, I close by saying… Speak Lord, for your servant is listening…