Oct. 31, 2021 – Halloween and the Kingship of Christ

Happy Halloween!  “Halloween” is a derivation of “All Hallows Day” an old English phrase for “All Saints Day,” (which is Nov. 1).  The evening before, October 31 is “All Hallows Evening,” shortened to “All Hallows E’en” which is now simply, “Halloween.”  (So “Halloween” is actually a Catholic word!)

In the old liturgical calendar (pre-Vatican II), The Feast of Christ the King was celebrated the Sunday before All Saints and All Souls Day (Nov. 1 and 2 respectively), Christ’s Kingship giving us a focus of meditation for those under His Kingship – the Saints (who are part of the “Church Triumphant” with Christ in Heaven), and ALL souls, also ultimately subject to Christ the King.

Vatican II moved the feast of Christ the King to the last Sunday of the Liturgical Year (just before Advent, this year on Sunday November 21), to close out the Liturgical Year with meditation on the triumphal majesty of Christ the King.

But it got me thinking about the role of the Saints and Angels in the Kingdom of God.

An often asked question: “Well, why talk to Saints when I can just go directly to Jesus?  What good does that do?”  Part of it is because we believe that intercessory prayer, whether from friends on earth or friends in heaven (Saints and Angels) makes a difference.  But even more than that:  Jesus Christ is the King, but he chooses to and delights in channeling His Power, His Light, Love, Grace, and Mercy through others, just as Kings in the olden days delegated and mediated their rule to people under them (to lords, dukes, ministers, etc.).  But Jesus does NOT do this because He is incapable of doing it all Himself.  He also does not do it because He is too busy for us or wants to distance Himself from us – NOT AT ALL!  But rather, as a priest I know often said, “God delights in using secondary causes.”  God desires and delights to have us share in the work and be a part of living out the Kingdom, and in so doing drawing us more into love with each other!  Just like in a family, when a parent could easily accomplish a task more directly, quickly, and efficiently without their children, they delight to have their children share in the work (even if it is a more messy and inefficient process).  Even more so when the children share in the work together, each having responsibility, learning to work together, to turn to each other for help, they are empowered to grow in love each other, and even learn to delight in one another, as the parents love and delight in them.

So this is analogous to the work of the Saints and Angels.  God is not slighted or offended when we ask the intercession of a Saint on a particular issue, but rather He delights to see His children help, love and support each other.  It does not take any glory away from God, but rather glorifies Him more fully.  Any help they give, is ultimately God’s authority, help, and grace mediated and channeled through them.  He loves to make more and more people channels, vessels, and mediators of His grace, and in doing so glorifies us, his channels and vessels of grace.  And furthermore, any attention we give to the Saints or Angels is reflected to God perfectly to give Him praise and glory.

Peace,

-Fr. Kevin