As far back as I can remember - at least to my reversion to the practice of the faith - Christ the King (the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe) has stood out as my “favorite” Feast of the Church year.

Not only is it my favorite feast, it also sits squarely in my favorite time of the year.

It struck me the other day when Suzanne and I were sitting in our living room talking. I was looking out the back window of our family room at the line of trees behind our house, observing how the leaves had almost left them entirely.

We’re at the end of the roughly two week period when our landscape typically changes from beautiful fall colors to a barren readiness for winter.

Suzanne asked me, “What are you looking at?”

My response was something like, “I was looking at how the trees are just perfect for Christ the King.”

This is the time of year when everything is winding down. We’re wrapping up the year of recollection of and prayer for all the souls who have gone before us. The readings at Masses have evoked reflection upon the end times and the last things we face as humans.

And the natural world - at least in our hemisphere - is winding down its own cycle of rebirth, life, and death, reflecting our own ponderings as we gaze out the window.

And in the midst of this winding down of the season, we have the great feast which challenges us to reflect upon the Kingship of Christ.

There is a challenge in this reflection - Am I ready? If my life were to end tomorrow, or even today, am I ready? If this created world were to come to in and tomorrow, or even today, am I ready?

But there is also a comfort in this reflection. If I stay ready, then I have the reassurance of being in a state of grace as a part of the Body of Christ - part of the body of Christ, the King of all creation.

Subject to Him, I also become part of what He subjects to the Father, and I am at peace for all eternity. (God-willing!)

Despite the challenges of daily life, we can stay aligned and close to (in relationship with) the King of all Creation! We are incorporated into His Body through Baptism, and through the grace of the Sacraments and a life of faith, we remain in His Body.

As fall turns to winter, and we continue to ponder the last things, this is a blessed assurance.

Before we know it, we’ll be preparing our hearts for the Incarnation and for the Nativity. The cycle continues, as we seek the grace in the new Year of Grace - the New Year of the Church.