What we must understand about "Christ the King"

What we must Understand about “Christ the King”

At the end of time, the Kingdom of God will come in its fullness.  Then the just will reign with Christ for ever, glorified in body and soul, and the material universe itself will be transformed.  God will then be “all in all,” in eternal life.”  (CCC 1060).  A final pronouncement of the beginning of new life for Christ’s followers, forever.

“But who do you say that I am?”  Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”  Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah.  For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.  And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.  I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”  (Mt 16: 15 - 19).

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 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.”  (CCC 440).

Words that can only come from a King; a King that has full authority over more than an entity of leaders that last but a short duration of humans.  The reign of Christ is forever, not from any beginning and without an ending throughout eternity.  This is what we celebrate today; a Kingship that brings all of us into the realm of becoming one with him who is Son of God making us with the Trinity one in the Kingship of Jesus Christ.

Earthly kings will exist but a short period within the element of elections or from a heretical passed down in families.  But to Incarnate himself as one who rules by mercy he is more than a King; He is God forever.

Let us give praise and glory to our King who is the I AM of eternity and the Paschal Lamb of mercy that lasts from eternity into eternal happiness with his subjects:  “You and I.”

Ralph B. Hathaway