Pilgrim Uniting Church, Adelaide SA SUN 21-NOV-2021 - 11 AM Sermon Rev Sandy Boyce Christ the King – The Feast of Christ the King was instituted in 1925 by Pope Pius XI, as a direct response to what was happening around the world. Tremendous distress and turmoil continued after the end of the Great War in 1918; and in 1925, as a result of the turmoil, leaders such as Joseph Stalin, Benito Mussolini and Adolph Hitler were growing in prominence and notoriety. The Pope created Christ the King Sunday in direct response to the policies and activities of such leaders, in the belief that the world needed to be reminded of the primacy and Lordship of Jesus Christ. The faithful needed to be inspired to be present in the world in Christ's name and under his kingly banner, offering an alternate reign in the world. When we untangle ourselves from the language of kings, we can call this day the Reign of Christ. In 2021 we have our own issues of authority and hugely powerful leaders. Media in all its forms has been harnessed to amplifiy discontent, suspicion, conspiracy and "alternate truth", and all opinions seem to have a right to be heard. A faithful Christian must seek first the values of the reign of God, and require leaders of all kinds to lean towards fact and truth, justice and reconciliation, respect, equity and inclusion. Next week we enter Advent, with the anticipation of hope, peace, love and joy, with a humble infant in a manger who took on our flesh and blood to bring good news to mankind. Emmanuel, God with us. John 18: 33-37 Playing Time   –   9:42