Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

Today, November 23, is the Solemnity of Christ the King.

Luke 23:35-43

The rulers sneered at Jesus and said, “He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God.” Even the soldiers jeered at him. As they approached to offer him wine they called out, “if you are the King of the Jews, save yourself.” Above him there was an inscription that read, “This is the King of the Jews.” Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us.” The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied to him, ‘Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

My sister shared with me a story told by a Protestant preacher, fiercely of the sola scriptura and sola fide tradition. But it’s a good story. Dismas, the name given by tradition to the Good Thief, dies on the cross and approaches the Pearly Gates. He’s met there by St. Peter. St. Peter asks Dismas, “Were you a follower of our Lord Jesus?” Dismas answers honestly, “No, not really. I mean I only met him in the last hours of His and my life, when we both hung on our crosses.” “Well,” St. Peter asks, “did you live according to our Lord’s teachings?” Again, Dismas is honest. “No, sir,” he replies, “In fact, I was a thief, so I probably lived a life opposite what Jesus taught, if what they said about Him is true.” St. Peter, getting a bit concerned and trying to find any reason to invite Disman in, asks him, “What did you contribute to the life of the Church, to the community of believers?” “Nothing,” Dismas answers frankly. “I don’t even know what the Church is.” Finally. St. Peter, exasperated, says, “So, you weren’t a follower of our Lord, you didn’t live according to His teachings, and you contributed nothing to the life of His Church. Honestly, Dismas, what makes you think you have a place in our Lord’s kingdom?” “Because,” Dismas answered, “Jesus said I could come!”

Jesus Christ is Lord and King of the Universe. Nothing happens throughout the entire created order that Jesus doesn’t know about and control. He is Master of all. He is Master of us. Because God desired deep, intimate relationship with us, He sent His Son, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity, to us in the Person of Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus, the Second Adam, lived a life of perfect obedience to the will of the Father, even unto death, countering the disobedience of Adam that introduced sin and death into our world. By His death on the cross, He killed sin. By His resurrection, He conquered death. Sin has no more hold over us, and death is now our ally. Jesus took His place at the right hand of the Father as King of kings and Lord of lords. From His throne, He rules the universe and all who are in it (which, BTW, includes any aliens that may be out there!). And from His throne, He will return to call us all to the Final Judgment and the Holy Spirit will renew the face of the Earth.

Jesus keeps His promises. He promised Dismas a place in Paradise, and He kept that promise. As King of the Universe, He promises to all the benefits of His grace, given for the sake of our salvation. He keeps this promise, too. Every person, whether publilcly known or known only in the heart of God, is given the grace necessary to embrace Jesus as Savior, Lord and Messiah. If we reject that grace, we will be lost. If we embrace that grace, we will be saved.

Just as Jesus reigns over all the universe, so He must reign in us, as well. In his encyclical Quas Primas, in which he instituted the Solemnity of Christ the King, Pope Pius XI said:

“If to Christ our Lord is given all power in heaven and on earth; if all men, purchased by his precious blood, are by a new right subjected to his dominion; if this power embraces all men, it must be clear that not one of our faculties is exempt from his empire. He must reign in our minds, which should assent with perfect submission and firm belief to revealed truths and to the doctrines of Christ. He must reign in our wills, which should obey the laws and precepts of God. He must reign in our hearts, which should spurn natural desires and love God above all things, and cleave to him alone. He must reign in our bodies and in our members, which should serve as instruments for the interior sanctification of our souls, or to use the words of the Apostle Paul, as instruments of justice unto God.” – Quas Primas, 33

Embrace the grace of God given to all for the sake of our salvation! Embrace Jesus as Lord and Master, King of the universe! Like Dismas, and all the just, Jesus said we may enter His kingdom, to live with Him in Paradise. Like Dismas, and all the just, Jesus will bring us before the Father as co-heirs with Him to the kingdom. Like Dismas, and all the just, we will come to share in the divine nature. This is the promise of Jesus. And Jesus keeps His promises!

Be Christ for all. Bring Christ to all. See Christ in all.