On the last Sunday of the liturgical year, the Catholic Church celebrates the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe.
Pope Pius XI announced the institution of this Feast also known as “Christ the King” on Dec. 11, 1925, when he released an encyclical titled “Quas Primas.”
His goal was to give Jesus a central place of importance in the Church and in the world by honoring the kingly dignity of Christ. He also hoped to combat secularism and atheism by highlighting the homage mankind should pay to the kingship of God.
In the first paragraph of this encyclical, he addresses the letter to his Venerable Brethren:
“We referred to the chief causes of the difficulties under which mankind was laboring. And We remember saying that these manifold evils in the world were due to the fact that the majority of men had thrust Jesus Christ and his holy law out of their lives; that these had no place either in private affairs or in politics: and we said further, that as long as individuals and states refused to submit to the rule of our Savior, there would be no really hopeful prospect of a lasting peace among nations. Men must look for the peace of Christ in the Kingdom of Christ; and that We promised to do as far as lay in Our power. In the Kingdom of Christ, that is, it seemed to Us that peace could not be more effectually restored nor fixed upon a firmer basis than through the restoration of the Empire of Our Lord.” (Encyclical Quas Primas, Part of opening paragraph by Pope Pius XI)
Almost 100 years have gone by since the birth of this feast and we are faced with this question: Have we as individuals and as a Church done what is with our power to open our hearts completely and unreservedly to Jesus’ Living Presence in the Holy Eucharist so that He can take full reign of every aspect of our life and make His dwelling among us as Lord, Savior and King? (Rev 21:3)
Let us not forget that as baptized Catholics we are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises” of him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9)
As feeble subjects of such a Majestic King, we must exercise our free will by breaking free from the slavery of the kingdom of darkness, temptation and sin. We must choose to live in God’s kingdom of light, love, truth, mercy and grace by growing in virtue, remaining in the state of grace and pursuing holiness.
Here are some suggestions of what we can do to reverence Christ the King on this glorious feast day and throughout the year.
■Pray the Litany to Christ the King on your own or as a family
■ Home Enthronement to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
■Wear a blessed Crucifix of Jesus crucified and ponder His love for you
■ Contemplate and kiss the precious wounds of Jesus crucified during prayer
■ Meditate on these Scriptures of Jesus’ kingship and let Him speak to your heart. Psalm 45:11-12, Isaiah 9:5-6, Luke 1:31-33, Luke 19:28-40, John 18:37, Mark 15:22-37, Matthew 25:31-46, Rev 15:3-4, Rev 17:14, Rev 22:1-5
“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.” (Encyclical Quas Primas, 19 by Pope Pius XI)