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Our Lord Jesus Christ The King
26 November 2006
Dear Friends in Christ,
When Pope Pius XI instituted the Feast of Christ the King in 1925, he wrote:
“The empire of our Redeemer embraces all men. To use the words of Our immortal predecessor, Pope Leo XIII: ’His empire includes not only Catholic nations, not only baptized persons who, though of right belonging to the Church, have been led astray by error, or have been cut off from her by schism, but also all those who are outside the Christian faith; so that truly the whole of mankind is subject to the power of Jesus Christ.’ Nor is there any difference in this matter between the individual and the family or the State; for all men, whether collectively or individually, are under the dominion of Christ. In him is the salvation of the individual, in him is the salvation of society. ’Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given to men whereby we must be saved.’ He is the author of happiness and true prosperity for every man and for every nation. ’For a nation is happy when its citizens are happy. What else is a nation but a number of men living in concord?’ If, therefore, the rulers of nations wish to preserve their authority, to promote and increase the prosperity of their countries, they will not neglect the public duty of reverence and obedience to the rule of Christ. What We said at the beginning of Our Pontificate concerning the decline of public authority, and the lack of respect for the same, is equally true at the present day. ’With God and Jesus Christ,’ we said, ’excluded from political life, with authority derived not from God but from man, the very basis of that authority has been taken away, because the chief reason of the distinction between ruler and subject has been eliminated. The result is that human society is tottering to its fall, because it has no longer a secure and solid foundation.’”
Strong words from a strong pope! All of us can see that Western civilization today is at a crossroads; Pope Benedict XVI has spoken about the “cultural suicide and self-hatred” of the West. Whether we like it or not, Christ is the foundation of the entire universe, and his dominion is over all things. In consecrating our parish to the Sacred Heart of Jesus on this feast, we are making a bold claim to the world: Jesus is the sure and certain foundation of our lives, our families, and our Church. Shortly after this feast was given to the Church, Mexico erupted in civil war, and not a few men and women were martyred for their belief that Jesus is the source of all freedom and peace. Dying with the triumphant shout, Viva Cristo Rey!, they were crowned by Christ the King as martyrs in heaven. When John Paul II beatified these heroes of the faith, he said, “We are all called to be witnesses to Jesus’ sovereign, loving presence in the midst of mankind.” St Mary’s, united under the banner of the King of Kings, can be powerful witness to that truth in the world. If we all do it together!
Praised be Jesus Christ our King!
Father Smith