Today the Roman Catholic Church celebrated the Solemnity of Christ the King. On this day, we pay special homage to Jesus Christ as King of the Universe. We pledge our allegiance anew today, inviting Jesus to rule as King over our lives. Over every nuance of our lives.
It’s the final Sunday of the liturgical calendar. Next Sunday, we begin Advent and a new year in the Church. Next week we begin to prepare to welcome an infant at Christmas and start the story anew. Today we recognize that even at the end of time, Jesus will rule over all.
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As I mentioned before, I’ve been swimming pretty regularly since early September. It’s been good for me, calming. Balancing. Reminding me how to breathe.
Well, for several weeks now I’ve had a swimming companion. This person swims 24/7, no joke, and has already taught me a great deal. Admittedly, maybe not much about swimming. But plenty about submitting to God’s will in all things. And lots about hope, trust, and finding joy in the moment.
I affectionately call my swim buddy “Bacon Bit.”
Bacon Bit is currently about the size of a kidney bean.
That’s right: I’m blessed to share that I am 8 weeks pregnant with our seventh child! We have nicknamed our little one “Bacon Bit” because, well, we love bacon here. So we thought it fitting. (I guess that makes St. Anthony the Abbot a patron of our little one in utero.)
We have many, good reasons to hope and expect to bring Bacon Bit home from the hospital, pink and snugly and needing every bit of attention an infant demands. Maybe I’ll get into those reasons later, but suffice to say a lot has happened in the past year. We’ve been granted new hope.
And yet, no matter what, we know God’s got this. Whether joy or heartbreak, whether this child lives another week or eighty-seven years, we know Christ is King of even this.
I don’t know what tomorrow brings, but today I will enjoy my Bacon Bit.
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Last year, on the vigil of this Solemnity, we gathered with family in honor and remembrance of our little Kolbe Linus, burying him after celebrating Mass that day.
Today we gathered with our church family and received the Rite of Blessing of a Child in the Womb.
We commend both, death and this journey of new life, into the hands of our King.
And God willing, this summer we will have the blessing of Bacon Bit swimming in new waters: those of baptism.
Bacon Bit – the littlest Cook
7 weeks 6 days – due 7/2/16
All is well.
Oh Julie, tears of joy and awe for this joyous news but also for your amazing writing in sharing this with all of us. Looking forward to watching Bacon Bit grow and finally meeting this lucky baby in July.
Thank you, Kim — for your prayers and all the love & support you’ve given along this difficult journey.
Wow, Julie! You give new meaning to “got bacon?” 🙂 What a sweet nickname, and what hopeful, good news. Prayers and love to you and your family. Seven is a lucky number again. I may just have to rewrite my poem. xo
Thank you, Leslie! Be sure to share that rewrite if you do it. 😉
I’m thrilled for you and your whole family, especially little Bacon Bit, who’s going to have so much love! Watch out, world–this kid is starting out crispy, crunchy delectably wonderful!
Love, Anne