December 19, Sem. Henry “Sam” Scheltens

Psalm 110

The LORD says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.” The LORD sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter.

Rule in the midst of your enemies! Your people will offer themselves freely on the day of your power, in holy garments; from the womb of the morning, the dew of your youth will be yours. The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind, “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” The Lord is at your right hand; he will shatter kings on the day of his wrath. He will execute judgment among the nations, filling them with corpses; he will shatter chiefs over the wide earth. He will drink from the brook by the way; therefore he will lift up his head.

Many people today like the idea that Church and State are separated. In the days of the Reformation, this was a good thing. It meant that bishops couldn’t be princes, and princes couldn’t be bishops. “Separating” Church and State allowed the Church to focus on proclaiming the Gospel, and the State on administering the Sword. However, for modern folk, to separate Church and State means to completely remove God’s authority from the government, as if the governments aren’t established by God Himself. This makes the government a cozier place. If the Most Holy God isn’t anywhere near the government, then I can do what I want.

The problem with all of that, however, is that Christ is King of all Creation. We confess Christ to be Prophet, Priest, and King. He is our King, and He rules with His mighty Scepter out of Zion. Does this mean the Church has the scepter? No! His scepter is sent forth out of Zion. It has to do with where Christ is crowned—on the Cross of Calvary. Christ’s throne is what appears to be a shame and humiliation to the rest of the world.

This is what we anticipate in Advent—the quiet, humble arrival of Our Lord. He comes not in a parade of glory and pomp, but in the womb of a humble and yet wonderfully Blessed Virgin. How glorious is that?

Seminarian Henry “Sam” Scheltens

Christ Academy: High School Student 2015–2017 Christ Academy: High School Proctor 2020-2021