The firstborn of the dead

“Jesus Christ is the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead and ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, who has made us into a kingdom, priests for his God and Father, to him be glory and power forever and ever. Amen.” (RV 1: 5-6)

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, who “loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood, who has made us into a kingdom, priests for his God and Father.” Every part of our lives is loved; every moment is protected by His power, and we are secure in His kingdom. Even our death does not separate us from His love but, on the contrary, brings us closer to Him because He became “the firstborn of the dead” to assure us that He is always with us. We pray for this every day: “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Today we say “goodbye” to Fr. Darek, member of my Community and my superior, and first of all – a brother and a friend, “priest for his God and Father,” confident, he goes to the One, who is Love and “to him be glory and power forever and ever. Amen.”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is to come!” (Gospel Acclamation)