A Dance with the King

The film, “Anna and the King,” which is an adaption of a novel from the 1940’s upon which the musical “The King and I” is also based, tells the story of an Englishwoman who travels to Siam to serve as a governess and teacher for the king’s family. I won’t go into the whole plot, but there is a scene toward the end when the king offers a banquet for his courtiers and guests. At one point during the dinner, the king stands and proposes a waltz, in the “European custom.” The musicians strike up the tune, and then the king extends his hand in invites the governess Anna to dance with him.

The company are shocked – as is Anna – that the king would choose this foreign “commoner” to dance. However, upon the king’s insistence, Anna rises and goes to the king to begin the dance. She is uncomfortable at being chosen, although clearly honored. However, she protests that she was out of practice as a dancer and didn’t want to embarrass herself or the king.

“I am the king,” he replies. “I will lead.”

And they dance; and everyone else eventually joins in.

In the United States – and in the Americas in general – we are not comfortable with the idea of a king. Most of the foundations of our nations are built on the separation of ourselves with royalty and royal influence.  We even experienced protests just this past month at the idea that someone would act as a king. However, like it or not, we have a King. And that is what this celebration is about.

Here, we are invited as usual to the Lord’s banquet. As our Psalm proclaims, “Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord!”  This is where we belong, and we belong here because of Christ’s invitation.

However, there may be some among us (perhaps even many among us) who are uncertain of our place here.  Are we worthy to be in Christ’s presence? Are we properly disposed, prepared? Do we really have a place here, or is our presence merely “tolerated” by Jesus, who has more important guests in mind – people more suited to His royal dignity?

Yes, we are broken people. Maybe we have been brought low by our sins; maybe because of other’s oppression or hurts; maybe we are too aware of our weaknesses. We all deserve to be corrected, and maybe even punished. But that is not why we are here, and that is not what happens to us here.

Here, Jesus looks at us and extends His hand. We are not just faces in a crowd in the Kingdom.  The Lord notices us, and He chooses us.  Like the king from that film, Christ invites us to Himself – to “dance,” so to speak, that is, to share life with Him. This is what happens to the Good Thief on the Cross.

That poor man was sharing the punishment that Jesus took on. He knew that he deserved it for his crimes; that it was a just sentence. However, he also had the faith and trust to look to Jesus, who was right there with him. At that supreme moment of Christ’s life and mission, the thief recognized not another man, but his King.

And the King extended His hand (even nailed to the Cross!) to the thief: “Today you will be with me in Paradise.”

Brothers and sisters, Jesus Christ is King! We are gathered now – and always – to affirm this fact. But He is not a King in some generic or distance sense. Rather, He is a King who wants us in His company and even extends His hand to take ours – regardless of our worthiness, regardless of our sins, regardless of our successes or failures.  When He takes our hand, we may feel a little overwhelmed or uncomfortable: “Lord, I don’t know what to do next; I don’t know how to follow you.”

But Jesus responds, “I am the King. I will lead.”

And that is enough for us. As a parish community, as individual disciples, we are not asked to be perfect. Rather, we are asked to be faithful – to see in Jesus one who shares our humanity so that we can share His divinity. That is the “dance” to which Jesus invites us. We don’t know the steps; but we can follow His lead.