November Blog by Molly Poullath

November is here! During these final weeks of our liturgical year, we turn special attention to the Church Triumphant and the Church Suffering.

First, we celebrate All Saints Day, which honors all of the inspiring saints, part of the Church Triumphant. On earth, they fought the battle against sin and the devil, and with God’s grace, they won and are now in heaven. As members of the Church Militant, we all strive to join them.

Through the rest of November, we give special attention and prayers to the Church Suffering, those holy souls who died in Christ but who are currently suffering in purgatory before they can enter heaven.

At the end of November is one of my personal favorite feasts: the Solemnity of Christ the King, which is the culmination of the liturgical year. I wanted to share some thoughts related to this feast on Sunday, November 21.

What kind of a king is Our Lord? As a former protestant who was received into the Catholic Church in 2009, I was not blessed with growing up steeped in Catholic culture, surrounded by images and stories of Our Lady, the saints, the rosary, and other lovely traditions. My own image of Jesus as King has transformed since joining the Church as I continue to learn and experience more of her beauty.

Patrick Madrid, a Catholic author and radio host, has presented a beautiful comparison of “two kings.” Imagine you are visiting a king. When you enter his throne room, you hear beautiful music; you are dazzled by gorgeous tapestries, works of art, and sumptuous carpet. In the room are dozens of joyful attendants dressed in splendid clothing. As you approach the throne at the far end of the room, you behold the most magnificent and glorious king, with resplendent clothing, crown, scepter, and throne, sparkling with gems and gold. This king has lavished his love and riches on everything and everyone around him.

Now, imagine you are visiting a different king in a different throne room. It is unlike the first in almost every way. There is no music, no sound, and no artwork, jewels, or tapestries; the floor and walls are bare concrete. There are no people at all. There is nothing and no one to distract you from the king. He himself is magnificent, incredible, and glorious, yet everything around him is bare and empty. He chose not to share his glory and riches and love and wants nothing to distract us from him alone.

As Patrick Madrid asks, which king is more magnificent? Of course, it is the first, for “the sharing of his splendor and power and love is itself a glorious act of love.” Everything in his throne room are part of his glory, and they “lead us to him, who creates them and makes them what they are.” The more we soak up all this beauty bestowed upon the Church, the better we understand the grandeur of Our Lord.

Holy Trinity Homeschoolers has been an amazing group for bringing this Catholic culture to homeschooling families. My family and I have learned so much about the saints and feasts and prayers from families in this group. I am very grateful to have found you all and to be able to walk alongside you in this great adventure of family life.

Finally, I want to end with one of my favorite passages from scripture, when Jesus will come again in His glory and sit on his glorious throne. Jesus our King will say:

“Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.” (Matthew 25: 34-36)

As homeschooling families especially, we love and serve our families day in and day out in a special way. May we always remember that as we do these things to the least of these His brethren, we do it to Him. ~ Molly Poullath

UPCOMING HTH EVENTS:

Magnificat - 1 year for $36 (regular price $47/year)

Magnifikid - 1 year for $22 (regular price $34.90/year)

Questions: Contact Gracie Buckner