Page on the Kingship
of Jesus Christ
Christ the King
E-Shrine
When the United States declared war on the German Empire during World War I one of the campaign slogans used to characterize the new conflict and justify it to the American people was the name, "the war to end all wars". The German, Austro-Hungarian, Bulgar and Turkish nations had been so demonized that people actually began to believe if they could simply "kill the Kaiser" all wars would cease. People put their faith in armies, politicians and a League of Nations to bring peace to the world. As we now know, World War I and the collapse of the Hohenzollern, Hapsburg, Romanov and Ottoman empires did nothing but sow the seeds of an even deadlier war in the future. Yet, then again, people trusted that peace would ensue once Hitler, Mussolini and Tojo were blasted from power. The age of nuclear weapons was opened, and this combined with the United Nations caused many to believe that world piece was finally at hand. Then, we had the Cold War, born out of the ruins of Tsarist Russia and Imperial China, which so many in the west had foolishly applauded.
The Cold War officially came to an end, after blood-lettings everywhere from Korea and Vietnam to Cuba, with the collapse of the Berlin Wall in divided Germany. Yet, as we living in the age of the "War on Terrorism" are only too painfully aware, peace was still not at hand. After all this, it should be clear that peace will never be won through the power of man alone, but only with a heartfelt surrender to Christ the King, who is the Prince of Peace. There is no other power in the universe capable of cutting through all of the greed, ambition, political rivalries and extreme ideologies but the power of Christ the King who said, "love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself". When we do that, and when we all can fully understand that how we treat others is how we treat Christ our King, then we will have peace.
The same can be said for the daily life of each individual. The confusion and debasement that is so prevalent, even in the "Christian" community comes as a result of a lack of true loyal allegiance to Christ the King. Too many people seem comfortable with obeying Christ the King on Saturday or Sunday, but ignore him every other day of the week. They may give Him some change in the offering plate, and pay Him some lip-service, but they are unwilling to submitt themselves totally to His will. Often this is because there is some sin which they think they absolutely cannot live without, so they are content to compartmentalize Christ the King and reassure themselves that their favorite sin is not really a sin at all. It also does not help that our modern society has created a generation that is so arrogant that they refuse to submit to anyone or anything unless they can be convinced it was their own idea (which is what elected officials do).
However, like it or not, Jesus Christ is a King, He is The King, the King of all kings and our ultimate authority, judge and jury. Whether we submit to Him now in the Most Blessed Sacrament, cheerfully giving the allegiance and the homage we owe Him, or not, is entirely up to the will of every individual. But, the day will come when every eye will see Him, when every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Christ is the King of all kings. Then, there will be nothing to do but face the consequences of our choices and live with them for eternity.
Let us resolve to make the right choice and obey and honor our Divine King now and urge others to do the same. His Sacred Heart is burning with love for us, and that we would return this devotion, is all our King would ask of us. Be ready for the day our King across the heavens returns.
