History
[dropcap]P[/dropcap]ope Pius XI instituted the feast of Christ the king in 1925 for the universal church in his encyclical Quad Primas. He connected the increasingly denial of Christ as king to the rise in secularism.
At the time of Quas Primas, many Christians began to doubt Christ’s authority and existence, as well as the church’s power to continue Christ’s authority.
Pope Pius XI and the rest of Christian world witnessed the rise of non- Christian dictatorship in Europe and saw Christians being taken in by these earthly leaders.
These dictators often attempted to assert authority over church.
Pope Pius hoped the institution of the feast would have various effects.
They were:
1. That nations would see that Christians have the right to freedom, and immunity from the state
2. That leaders and nations would see that they are bound to give respect to Christ.
That the faithful would gain strength and courage from the celebration of the feast,as we are reminded that Christ must reign in our hearts,minds,wills and bodies.
Today, the same distrust of authority exists, although the problem has gotten worse. Individualism has been embraced to such an extreme, that for many, the only authority is the individual self.
Jesus assumes the role of the good Shepherd. The image of Jesus as the good Shepherd has perennial hold on the Christian imagination and piety.
In Israel’s ancient Near East world, kings were expected to “tend” their subjects justly, especially those who were most vulnerable to abuse: widows, orphans, the poor, inflamed and displaced. Israel’s past Shepherds neglected such responsibilities, but Yahweh, Israel’s divine king, shepherds the entire flock including its weakest members.
Difference between Kingship of Christ and others
1. Other kingdoms have territorial boundaries but the kingship of Christ is universal. Christ is king without borders.
2. Other kingdoms come and go,but his kingdom is eternal.
3. Other kingdoms are sustained by military or economic power, but the kingship of Christ is sustained by the power of truth. Citizens of Christ kingdom must therefore stand by truth even when it is hurting and embarrassing to do so.
CONCLUSION
While Christ is coming to judge the nations, his teaching spell out a kingdom of Justice and judgment balanced with radical love, mercy, peace and forgiveness.
When we celebrate Christ as king, we are not celebrating an oppressive ruler, but one willing to die for humanity and whose loving kindness endures forever.
Christ is the king that gives us true freedom. Thus we must never forget that Christ radically redefined and transformed the concept of kingship
We ask Christ to come and reign in our hearts, souls, will,body, minds homes,business, state and country.
Peace be with you.
HAPPY CHRIST THE KING….Â
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