God is in Charge

Various parts of the world have different ideas about the role kings play in society. In ancient and medieval times, just like we read from the Old Testament about ancient Israel, kings were representatives of God in the world. The theory that justified their legitimacy, sovereignty, and authority was the theory of the divine right of kings. This divine right of kings conferred might on them. People obeyed earthly kings because they thought that by so doing, they obeyed God. Times have now changed. With the embrace of modern nationalism and democracy in the West, sovereignty now belongs to the people, often represented by the state and its officials. So, how can we speak to a modern audience about the idea of God as king? 

As we celebrate today the solemnity of the universal kingship of Jesus Christ, we recognize the sovereignty of God. God’s kingship captures his creative activity, his providence, and the salvation he brings to all. He created the world, he sustains the world, and only he will judge and save the world. To grasp more fully what this celebration means for us, its good to look at what the “founder” of the feast, Pope Pius XI said, as written in the encyclical letter, Quas Primus: “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 mind, 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” (no. 33). 

On this day, therefore, we remind ourselves that only God is God, and we must neither never play God in our lives nor in the lives of other people.