The creator is King: What it means to understand the depth of Christ's love and kingship

As a lifelong Catholic, there are countless amount of times where the words "Christ the King" appears, whether in school or church names, to the November feast day, "Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe." Yet for some reason this year, a new depth of this meaning was revealed to my heart: the juxtaposition of Christ's undeniable kingship set against the backdrop of his crowning act of humility by dying on the cross. 

Let's think about Christ and God on a grand scale for a moment:

• The ingenuity of every cell within our body functioning as systems
• The way a woman's body is synced with the moon and its cycles
• The creatures in the deepest depths of oceans
• The mammals in our jungles and beyond
• The universe and its planets and solar systems
• The colorful brilliance of nature and how uniquely painted every flower looks
• The delicious taste of our favorite foods

The list could go on and on until infinity. Yet, Christ's genius when it comes to creation can't hold a flame to what it means for him to humbly submit to being crucified, spit upon, humiliated, tortured and suffered on the cross---willingly. I cannot fathom a power more powerful than such a thing, such discipline and humility. Maybe it's because I cannot fathom a love greater, it is the ultimate sacrifice what God has done for us by giving up His only son. That is love. 

When I think of modern day "kingship," I think of all the kings and queens in countries around the world. I think of the British royalty and King Charles III and all the golden crowns and jewels within their thrones. But Christ? A crown of thorns. His throne? A welcome ceremony of palms riding on a donkey during what we know as Palm Sunday. 

Even on the cross, after being beaten and tortured, Christ bestowed mercy! I heard someone say he canonized the first saint, the criminal who recognized our Lord and his true kingship! Christ promised him paradise! My God, I am yet but a sinner, and I strike my heart at that thought. For Christ's words are truth and that criminal was welcomed into paradise that fateful day. 

It is a love this striking that moves me to tears when I see the crucifix. I love this King.