The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
Matthew 25:31-46
Then the king will
say to those on his right,
‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father.
Inherit the kingdom
prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry
and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.'
What does it mean to be a King? We think of a King as head of a monarchy with tremendous wealth, power and prestige. People bow down in homage to a king. Sometimes people despise a king. Think of King Herod who authorized the murder of innocent children. Or, simply a King loses his title. I think of Tiger Woods who used to be the "King" of the golf world, but slowly fell from his status after indiscretions with women cost him a very public divorce....
A "King" is a status for a lot of things. We call Elvis as the "King of Rock and Roll". Then there is the old sitcom "King of the Hill." We play the "King" of Spades in a deck of cards. Then we grab a charbroiled burger at Burger King!
When the word "King" comes to mind, do we remember Jesus Christ as King of the Universe? Probably not! This is sad because Jesus is King over all mortal Kings. He is the supreme ruler over all of us. We wouldn't have kings of monarchies or symbolic "kings" if it wasn't for Christ himself, dying on the cross, resurrecting from the dead, and then ascending into heaven.
I love this quote from Pope Benedict XVI: "By his sacrifice, Jesus has opened for us the path to a profound relationship with God: in him we have become true adopted children and thus sharers in his kingship over the world.......We invoke the kingdom daily in the prayer of the 'Our Father' with the words 'Thy Kingdom come'; in effect we say to Jesus: Lord make us yours, live in us, gather together a scattered and suffering humanity, so that in you all may be subjected to the Father of mercy and love."
As adopted children of Christ, how can we share in his kingship? First and foremost we must make him the #1 King in our lives! Remain loyal to the Kingdom of God, keeping our baptismal promises. Feed the hungry, give food to the needy, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, take care of the sick, and visit the imprisoned. Concentrate on supporting the whole Body of Christ. Not one individual is "king" over another. This outlook stems from sinful pride and vanity. Let us not worship ourselves, or others, but Christ the king of the universe!
-J.
A "King" is a status for a lot of things. We call Elvis as the "King of Rock and Roll". Then there is the old sitcom "King of the Hill." We play the "King" of Spades in a deck of cards. Then we grab a charbroiled burger at Burger King!
When the word "King" comes to mind, do we remember Jesus Christ as King of the Universe? Probably not! This is sad because Jesus is King over all mortal Kings. He is the supreme ruler over all of us. We wouldn't have kings of monarchies or symbolic "kings" if it wasn't for Christ himself, dying on the cross, resurrecting from the dead, and then ascending into heaven.
I love this quote from Pope Benedict XVI: "By his sacrifice, Jesus has opened for us the path to a profound relationship with God: in him we have become true adopted children and thus sharers in his kingship over the world.......We invoke the kingdom daily in the prayer of the 'Our Father' with the words 'Thy Kingdom come'; in effect we say to Jesus: Lord make us yours, live in us, gather together a scattered and suffering humanity, so that in you all may be subjected to the Father of mercy and love."
As adopted children of Christ, how can we share in his kingship? First and foremost we must make him the #1 King in our lives! Remain loyal to the Kingdom of God, keeping our baptismal promises. Feed the hungry, give food to the needy, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, take care of the sick, and visit the imprisoned. Concentrate on supporting the whole Body of Christ. Not one individual is "king" over another. This outlook stems from sinful pride and vanity. Let us not worship ourselves, or others, but Christ the king of the universe!
-J.
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