Struggling vines make the best wine.
I was mulling over buying champagne flutes the other day while I was at TJ Maxx. They seemed so impractical and delicate and perfectly lovely… Then, I thought of the two flat tires I had just replaced in the morning (I know, who gets two at one time?!) and placed the box of beautiful glasses back on the shelf.
Then I thought about why I wanted the flutes… This Sunday, the last of the liturgical year, is the Feast of Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. King of the UNIVERSE!
Just like the Catholic Church to be extra… and I mean “extra” in the most sacred meaning of the word. I love that we’re extra. This feast reminds us, as we end the liturgical year, that Jesus Christ, who entered the world in the womb of Mary, was born under the night sky of Bethlehem, settled into the warmth of family life, gave His heart to those who wanted it and to those didn’t, instituted our beloved Church, took His last breath nailed to the Cross, and then rose from the dead is the King of the Universe.
Our worldly New Year’s Eve calls for countdowns and bubbly drinks in lovely flutes… but how more worthy a New Year celebration is than one that marks the end of the liturgical year? Especially an indulgence like champagne that serves as a reminder that it is through our suffering that we flourish.
Wines from from well-nourished vines lack the flavor for a successful vintage. It is the struggling vine that places its energy into producing fruit for the sake of survival. The sweetest grapes attract birds that feast and ensure the seeds of the crop spread.
It is the suffering vine that considers life after death…
the suffering vine that places the most value in the fruit it gives to the world…
the suffering vine that has given its suffering purpose.
He is the vine; we are His branches, our beloved King of the Universe.
After considering all of this… I circled back around and picked up the box of $9 champagne flutes. Sparkling juice for the kids, a lovely champagne for my husband and me to bring to a close the blessing of this last year and look ahead to the next as we enter into Advent.
Here is a toast for the new year for you and your family!
Lord, as we end this liturgical year, we thank you for the many blessings you have given to our family and the suffering you have allowed.
As we look ahead to this next liturgical year, help us to remember that You are the King of our lives; a perfect King of humility and love. Give us a heart open to Your will in all things.
As we begin anew and look ahead to Your manager and then Your Cross, we ask you to deepen our faith and give us the grace to endure all that lay ahead with a joyful heart. We pray that the fruit of our lives be sweet, and that we never take our gaze off heaven.
To our Lord, King of the Universe!
**Don’t forget! Download below this week’s PGS and have a chat with your kiddo’s about Jesus Christ, King of the Universe!
See you next week!
