After a long slog through the Four Last Things, it is
time to rejoice in the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end: Jesus Christ, who is King of Heaven and
Earth.
When we look at the powers that contend for our
affections and attentions in this world, we can become quite alarmed. After the appalling display that accompanied
our recent elections, I lack much hope for those who govern us even in this
most remarkable of nations. Human
frailty and original sin seem to be the sole constant. Comparing ours to the situations of most of
the rest of the world can make us feel only somewhat better. But we ought not despair.
It is not my proximity to the marbled halls of power and
shining domes of sovereignty that give me courage. It is a chair I have in the corner of our
church, in a little room, behind a curtain.
There, regularly, I hear speeches of those who come before the
King. They seek for themselves not power
or approval, but mercy. Aware of their
sins, with sorrow for their shortcomings, they come in humility and
supplication.
In their hope for forgiveness, I see reflected the glory
of the one true sovereign. They approach
His throne neither with fear, nor with flattery. They know their Lord, and they know He is
stronger than sin, stronger even than death, for He has already achieved the
victory over both. They know he possesses
full power over heaven and earth, and lays it all down in sacrifice for them,
that they may have life, and have a share in that glory. That is real leadership for our lives; that
is our one hope for real change. It is
the mercy of our King.
While citizenship in this fair Republic showers many
gifts upon us along with its challenges, we gladly kneel before our true
King. Let us thank God that in this land
of red versus blue, we have the gift that is greater than gold: the freely
given life of our Lord, who reigns from the Cross. In loyalty to Him, let us lay down our pride
and power and acclaim Him by our repentance for our sins, and our sacrifices of
love.
This is all He desires from us, that we acknowledge our need
for His mercy, and turn toward Him and away from sin. We learn from Him not to grasp at power and
might, but to seek mercy, and offer it.
To rule with Him is to serve in charity. This is the stuff of the Kingdom that will
endure forever, the path to our sharing in the reign of Him who is Lord of all.
Trumpets and banners; ermine,
velvet, and gilt; rank upon rank in uniform and decoration raising eyes and
voices in salute and dedication: these are the hallmarks we conjure when
thinking of a king. But the condemned criminal who died next to
Jesus recognized His Kingship without any of those things.
“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.”
Praise God for revealing to us
who truly rules over us, and the triumph of the Holy Cross that is His true
throne. Praised be Jesus
Christ our King, now and forever.
Monsignor Smith
