Christ must reign until all enemies are brought under His feet and the last enemy to be destroyed is death.
Pope Pius XI who established the feast of Christ the King reminds us: The empire of our Redeemer embraces all. To use the words of Our immortal predecessor, Pope Leo XIII: “His empire includes not only Catholic nations, not only baptized persons who, though of right belonging to the Church, have been led astray by error, or have been cut off from her by schism, but also all those who are outside the Christian faith; so that truly the whole of mankind is subject to the power of Jesus Christ.” Nor is there any difference in this matter between the individual and the family or the State; for all, whether collectively or individually, are under the dominion of Christ. In him is the salvation of the individual, in him is the salvation of society. … If, therefore, the rulers of nations wish to preserve their authority, to promote and increase the prosperity of their countries, they will not neglect the public duty of reverence and obedience to the rule of Christ. … When once men recognize, both in private and in public life, that Christ is King, society will at last receive the great blessings of real liberty, well-ordered discipline, peace and harmony. (Quas Primas 18-19)
Christ constantly walks the length and breadth of the earth calling people to Him as He called His first disciples. He constantly invites everyone whatever their state of life to come nearer and nearer to Him. Christ is the Divine and Supreme King, King of King and Lord of lords. He is the creator of all, the Divine Word. John 1 Everything belongs to Him. He has ransomed us from the power of evil and the darkness of Hell out of love for all people. Now is the time of gentle persuasion but there will come a time whether people like it or not Christ’s Kingdom will be established definitively for all eternity.
Christ the King wants to destroy the power of evil and to submit all to His dominion and hand over to His Father an eternal and universal kingdom.
The Kingdom means solidarity with Christ. Only when the Kingdom is solidly established in our hearts, can we help Christ to establish it in the hearts of others to work with Christ for the salvation of the whole world.
The field of battle involves the universal attack of Satan, his allies in the world and our sinful inclinations: pride, sloth, anger, envy, lust, greed, gluttony. The Evil One instructs his minions to attack everywhere. The attack involves tempting people to lusting for riches, to seek the vain honor and glory of this world, and to unbounded pride, which means the human being thinks he or she is a god, the author of his/her own excellence and who determines everything.
With fervent Christians Satan fosters love of bodily comforts and ease, disordered attachments, or a craving for praise, success, and power under the pretext of God’s glory. He keeps them constantly busy with themselves. Each one must consider the particular trick which Satan wishes to use to lead them to ruin and away from Christ the King.
On the other hand Christ the King calls His followers personally out of love for them to share in His Kingdom. His message is detachment from all riches and He calls some to actual poverty. He calls them away from earthly glory and honors to humility and a willingness to share the same reproaches and rejections He suffered out of love for Him. This leads to a life wholly directed to the will of the Father the exact opposite of sin and the original sin.
The wicked mob screams out:”We don’t want Christ as king!” We, with shouts of joy, hail Thee as the world’s supreme king.
May the rulers of the world publicly honor and extol Thee; may teachers and judges and politicians reverence Thee; may the laws express Thine order and the arts reflect Thy beauty.
May worldly authorities find renown in their submission and dedication to Thee. Bring under Thy gentle rule our country and our homes.
Glory be to Thee, O Jesus, Supreme over all secular authorities; And glory be to the Father and the loving Spirit Through endless ages. Amen.
Most sweet Jesus, Redeemer of the human race, look down upon us humbly prostrate before you. We are yours, and yours we wish to be; but to be more surely united with you, behold each one of us freely consecrates himself today to your Most Sacred Heart. Many indeed have never known you; many, too, despising your precepts, have rejected you. Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus, and draw them to your Sacred Heart. Be King, O Lord, not only of the faithful who have never forsaken you, but also of the prodigal children who have abandoned you; grant that they may quickly return to their Father’s house, lest they die of wretchedness and hunger. Be King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions, or whom discord keeps aloof, and call them back to the harbor of truth and the unity of faith, so that soon there may be but one flock and one Shepherd. Grant, O Lord, to your Church assurance of freedom and immunity from harm; give tranquility of order to all nations; make the earth resound from pole to pole with one cry: Praise to the divine Heart that wrought our salvation; to it be glory and honor forever. Amen.
A plenary indulgenced is attached to publicly praying this prayer on the Solemnity of Christ the King.
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