November 24th, 2024 - Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

Today, we celebrate the feast of Christ the King. The Lord Jesus is no ordinary king, no figurehead king. Christ is the king whose kingdom does not belong to this world, but to God. According to the preface prayer for this feast, Christ presides over a kingdom that is eternal and universal, a kingdom of holiness and grace, a kingdom of justice, love, and peace. Christ founded this kingdom based on divine decrees -- love God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength; love your neighbor as yourself; love your enemies; pray for your persecutors; forgive those who have sinned against you; and see and serve the Lord in the least of your brothers and sister.  The question is do we acknowledge Christ to be our king who rules our priorities, decisions, hearts, and our very lives? For Catholic Christians, there is ultimately one King, only one who should hold sway over our hearts and consciences: the crucified and risen Lord Jesus.