Thursday, November 19, 2020

When Christ is our King

I remember flipping through Christian book catalogues as a kid, and seeing sparkly pink designs that proclaimed a statement like: "Someday, my prince will come" or "I'm a princess!" All of these t-shirts, notebooks, or stickers reflected the truth that Christ is our King-and we, as sons and daughters of God, are princes and princesses. In fact, by virtue of our Baptism, we are made sharers in the kingly office of Christ (see Catechism of the Catholic Church #873)

As a young kid and teenager, I loved thinking about this royal connection. It was a time when movies like Princess Diaries and Ice Princess were making their way onto our television screen. I loved thinking about being a princess, of wearing the sparkly tiaras and fancy dresses. 

However, as delightful as this image is, we cannot simply stop at the tiaras and chocolates, as I once did. Rather, we can--and should--think about the way that our very lives can be impacted when we recognize Christ as our King. As I ponder all of the unpredictable events of this year, I am comforted by the realization that Christ reigns. 

Our plans for next week, next month, or next year may be falling apart...but Christ is our King.

Life may be thoroughly uncertain as a pandemic rages on...but Christ is our King.

The country may be torn apart by hatred, anger, and a loss of civility...but Christ is our King.

Christ, our loving, merciful King, will not abandon us. He will care for us, protect us, and hold us together in His peace. When we look to Christ as our King, yes, we are reassured by His sovereignty; but, we are also challenged. We are challenged to allow Christ to be King over every aspect of our lives--not just while we sit in the pew on Sundays. As Pope Pius XI writes in the encyclical Quas Primas

"He must reign in our minds, which should assent with perfect submission and firm belief to revealed truths and to the doctrines of Christ. He must reign in our wills, which should obey the laws and precepts of God. He must reign in our hearts, which should spurn natural desires and love God above all things, and cleave to him alone. He must reign in our bodies and in our members, which should serve as instruments for the interior sanctification of our souls, or to use the words of the Apostle Paul, as instruments of justice unto God." (#33)

We celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King this Sunday, and as we celebrate with sugary treats and much festivity, let's take a moment to consider how Christ is King in our lives. Are we letting Him reign in our minds, wills, hearts, and bodies? 

2 comments:

  1. Thank you for this post. I'm a little late reading it but I appreciate the part you put about how things may be going bad but at least Christ is our King.

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    1. Thanks for reading, Kathleen! I am so glad that you enjoyed it :)

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