Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. In a special way, we recognize our role as subjects who have the honor and privilege of helping to bring about the Kingdom of Christ here on earth. Jesus spoke of His Kingdom often. Sometimes He spoke of it directly: “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel” (Mk 1:15). Other times he used parables to explain it, such as the parables of the Sower, the Weeds Among the Wheat, the Mustard Seed, the Yeast, the Treasure, and the Pearl of Great Price, all found in Matthew 13. Christ’s Kingdom is such a mystery that it’s difficult for us to grasp its full meaning with just one explanation. Each example is a facet of how to understand it. But to truly understand the Kingdom, it has to become personal to us.
“The kingdom of God is here, within you” (Lk 17:21)
In the Our Father we pray, “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” This connection shows the link between the will of God and the coming of His Kingdom. Where God’s will is done, His Kingdom reigns. Jesus tells us that His mission is to do His Father’s will (Jn 6:38). He also says, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven” (Mat 7:21). When we accept and cooperate with God’s will, we belong to Christ’s Kingdom and help Him to fulfill His holy mission.
We “sanctify Christ as Lord of our hearts” (1 Pet 3:15) when we listen to God in prayer and then carry out His will. In this way, we manifest Christ’s Kingdom here on earth. First His Kingdom comes to us in our hearts, then we bring it to the world through our actions.
Lord Jesus Christ, You are the king of my heart. Quiet my heart so I can listen and respond to the Father’s will.
