Feast of Christ the King – Sister Catherine Waldron, SNDdeN

November 21, 2021

John 18: 33b-37

Today’s Gospel describes Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey. Crowds have formed and many have laid down their cloaks as a welcome and honor. They shout “Hosanna! Hosanna in the highest!” This rejoicing moment shows how little Jesus’ followers understood about his teachings and lifestyle.

Many of us have grown up rooted in this image of Christ as King.

Today we wonder how riding a donkey compares to our broadened images of kings being honored by their people, their followers. Given all the confusion regarding the locus of authority and power among us, Jesus mounted on a donkey reveals that God calls us to view even lowly creatures as glorious and praise worthy. In Laudato Si, Pope Francis invites, even compels, us to care for our Earth, our Mother as our God cared for her in creating all life. Francis calls us all to renew our desires and commitments to live the Gospel as Jesus did.

Earlier this November in Rome, Pope Francis confirmed Joe Biden as a kindred leader. They both serve their people by doing their best to care for our ‘COMMON HOME’ and to make more opportunities accessible to those made poor. Biden commented that Pope Francis is “everything he learned about being Catholic since first grade.” After Biden left with his huge entourage, Francis climbed into the back seat of a Fiat! Is that like Jesus riding a donkey?
What is our “best” in our modes of transportation?

World leaders met this month at the COP 16 in Glasgow, Scotland to focus climate goals into doable action plans to insure that our world be livable for current and future creatures. Will these leaders do enough to curb global warming and climate change? Critics are skeptical. Will we do what we can? Changing our lifestyles, reducing use of fossil fuels, consuming less, simplifying our lives? – Will we live with less so that other persons and all creation can live and thrive? This is the challenge before us today.

During the house warming at Casa Julie in Fremont, California the dozen or so Sisters present engaged in an impromptu discussion of how shocking and overwhelming those home from ministries in Africa and South America become in facing the wealth here in the United States of America. Shopping becomes traumatic due to the sheer abundance crowding each area of the store. We have experienced great disparities in who has access to vaccines for COVID 19. Many of us rejoice that the USA is finally sharing vaccine resources with countries which have not received anywhere close to as much as we have available.

What path will we choose to follow Christ the King? Will each of us commit to
opening our hearts/minds/lifestyles to true Gospel living? What is our plan to grow in compassion, healing, loving, caring for one another, being inclusive, present, self-emptying?

Hosanna to those who truly live as God who lives in and through us!

(Thanks to Richard Rohr’s recent daily reflections)

John 18: 33b-37

Pilate said to Jesus, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you say this on your own or have others told you about me?” Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not here.” So Pilate said to him, “Then you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”
The Gospel of the Lord

Meet Sister Catherine Waldron, SNDdeN

Sister Catherine Waldron, SNDdeN has served in many ministries during the past 48 years. Her first missions spanned all 12 grades of elementary and secondary education. She then was called into pastoral services in two different multicultural parishes in San Francisco. As she was discerning ministry in Africa, her Sisters called her to serve in leadership in California. Drawing on such varied life experience she became a Marriage and Family Therapist in schools and private practice. She continued to be active in various province, national and international committees and projects. In 2003 her Provincial Team asked her to assist with the possibility of our eight US provinces forming of a single National Unit. She served a five year term as a member of the first Leadership Team of the East-West province. She continued with the second Team until a serious infection caused her to resign from that position. She now continues to heal from and cope with the persistent effects of that illness.