Everyone in the world is subject to Jesus Christ who is King of all creation. This means that all men are bound to the reign and rule of Jesus but are also under his loving care and protection.
Because of this, Catholics and other Christians should put God first, even when faced with challenges and pressures from secular society or political power.
Unlike earthly kings who have faults or might even be evil, Jesus Christ is the perfect king who loves all those who He reigns over.
The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ King of the Universe was instituted in 1925 by Pope Pius XI in response to secularism, increasing hostility toward the Church, and attempts by several governments to remove God from public life.
All of the readings and teaching at Catholic Mass through the year point to the last Sunday of the liturgical year when the Church celebrates this feast day, also known as the Feast of Christ the King.
The perfect King of all people:
The King will come again in glory to make things right:
Do we not read throughout the Scriptures that Christ is the King? He it is that shall come out of Jacob to rule, who has been set by the Father as king over Sion, his holy mount, and shall have the Gentiles for his inheritance, and the utmost parts of the earth for his possession. In the nuptial hymn, where the future King of Israel is hailed as a most rich and powerful monarch, we read: “Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever; the scepter of thy kingdom is a scepter of righteousness.” There are many similar passages, but there is one in which Christ is even more clearly indicated. Here it is foretold that his kingdom will have no limits, and will be enriched with justice and peace: “in his days shall justice spring up, and abundance of peace…And he shall rule from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.”
Pope Pius XI, Quas Primas, December 11, 1925
An eternal King that guarantees victory:
Reminding us that Jesus Christ reigns over our lives:
Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us.” The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
Luke 23: 39-43
Recognizing Christ as a king:
Seeing the true king:
Turning to Jesus as King:
Jesus accepted Peter’s profession of faith, which acknowledged Him to be the Messiah, by announcing the imminent Passion of the Son of Man. He unveiled the authentic content of his messianic kingship both in the transcendent identity of the Son of Man “Who came down from Heaven”, and in his redemptive mission as the suffering Servant: “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Hence the true meaning of his kingship is revealed only when He is raised high on the Cross. Only after his Resurrection will Peter be able to proclaim Jesus’ messianic kingship to the People of God: “Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly that God has made Him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
Catechism of the Catholic Church 440
A relatively new feast:
Everything builds up to the Feast of Christ the King:
The Truth, Goodness, and Beauty of the Catholic Church
Not all religions are the same:
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