Fr. Frank Majka, SJ – The Bridge

Christ the King

In the Catholic tradition the last Sunday of the liturgical year celebrates Jesus as “the King of the Universe.” The feast took form in the 1920’s as the world was reeling from the carnage caused by World War One.

When that devastating war began, Europe was full of kings and queens. When it ended only one or two remained. Attributing to Jesus the title “King of the Universe” was a way of saying that, unlike other reigns, Christ’s would always endure, and it echoes the New Testament’s teaching that in Christ “all things hold together” and that his is “the name that surpasses every other name.”

The truly amazing thing about the reign of Christ, though, is not that it extends through time and space, but that it has touched so many individual human hearts. I am glad to know that Christ is the king of the universe; but I think it’s more amazing that his reign also can extend to every human heart.

And when it comes to the human heart, Christ does not force his kingship upon us. He invites and entices; he does not impose or coerce. He acts, as Julian of Norwich said, as our “most courteous Lord.” And if we ask him to rule our hearts, then he will hold the various parts of our lives together and will make our hearts like his. Ultimately, this is what God wishes for us — that every human being live under the gentle yet powerful reign of Christ, the King of the Universe and the King of Hearts.