The associated reading for this reflection can be found in your Every Sacred Sunday Mass journal or online here.
I have always loved great leaders. I loved playing sports for great coaches, I loved being in classrooms with great teachers, and I loved being at a seminary with great priests. Currently, I love being at a parish with a great pastor. There is certainly a natural desire in all of our hearts to follow great leaders. We want to follow the wise, the strong, and the humble. And we desire a perfect kingdom.
The problem with this desire is that it is incredibly difficult to satisfy. The world is full of bad leaders. The Israelites experienced this time and time again. Even the very best leader of the Old Testament, King David, was incredibly flawed.
But Jesus Christ is not flawed. He is the perfect king.
Today, on this Feast of Christ the King, I recall St. Thomas More, one of the very best servants of King Henry VIII. This brilliant lawyer was essential counsel for King Henry VIII until the day the English monarch was not satisfied with his opinion. Henry VIII wanted to break away from Rome in order to leave his wife. Thomas More could not support him. And as this great saint was led to his execution sight at Tower Hill, he remarked, "I die the King's good servant, but God's first."
Thomas More was counsel for one of the most powerful kings in the world, but he served a higher King: Jesus Christ.
Everyone in the world is called to this understanding. Jesus reaches out to all nations, led by different presidents, dictators, monarchs, prime ministers, and more. And reminds us that He reigns above all. Today we celebrate The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. There is great freedom in following this King. He is perfectly just, abundant in mercy, and promises all the riches of heaven to His good servants.
When times are difficult, we must remember to follow our leader, our king. Remember His words to Pilate in today’s Gospel: “My kingdom is not here." Jesus Christ is King. Long may He reign in our hearts. So that we may one day find ourselves in His everlasting kingdom.
Fr. Christopher Meyer is the parochial vicar at St. Faustina Catholic Church in Fulshear, TX. Ordained to the priesthood in June of this year, he is still amazed every day to wake up as a priest. Fr. Christopher loves hanging out with friends, the Rosary, sports, and reading.
