Christus Vincit, Christus Regnat, Christus Imperat

We heard this at Mass this morning in our parish. Quite a change from the songs usually picked these last few decades.   Vive Christus Rex!

King of All Nations

Pilate therefore went into the hall again, and called Jesus, and said to him: Art thou the king of the Jews?

Jesus answered: Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or have others told it thee of me?

Pilate answered: Am I a Jew? Thy own nation, and the chief priests, have delivered thee up to me: what hast thou done?

Jesus answered: My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would certainly strive that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now my kingdom is not from hence.

Pilate therefore said to him: Art thou a king then?

Jesus answered: Thou sayest that I am a king. For this was I born, and for this came I into the world; that I should give testimony to the truth. Every one that is of the truth, heareth my voice.

Pilate saith to him: What is truth? And when he said this, he went out again to the Jews, and saith to them: I find no cause in him. But you have a custom that I should release one unto you at the pasch: will you, therefore, that I release unto you the king of the Jews?

Then cried they all again, saying: Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.

Then therefore, Pilate took Jesus, and scourged him. And the soldiers platting a crown of thorns, put it upon his head; and they put on him a purple garment.

John 18:33 - 19:2

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As election day approaches in the United States, this is a good time to look with clear eyes at the self-serving nature of politicians through the centuries, and to make sure we have not given our allegiance to one who takes truth lightly, or even one who allows the killing of innocents because it is expedient or popular.

When I look at the unreserved support of the Democratic party for the killing of unborn children, at every level from individually commissioned acts of violence, to state and national support, year-in and year-out, for abortion turned into an industry, to the coercion of other nations to accept abortion as a diplomatic objective, I do not believe I can ever again vote for any individual who self-identifies with that bloody-handed party.

Of course, liberal/progressive/left-wing support for abortion is nothing new, but today, in the old Catholic calendar, it is the Feast of the Kingship of Our Lord Jesus Christ, a day suitable for looking again at the principles that should guide our society.

Any philosophy that scorns moral principles, any that places absolute power in the hands of government, unfettered by moral restraint, is dangerous and immoral. What else has liberalism been but that? The philosophy of the French terror, the Russian revolution, the cultural revolution in China. National socialism is supposedly at the other end of the political spectrum, but it is a product of the same depraved and violent belief that governments can and should be able to do anything they desire with the people under their dominion.

The power of worldly governments is not absolute. It is always temporary, contingent, and subsidiary. There is only one Who rules forever, and His throne is not in Washington, DC.

...I know the above is not really well argued. Some comments are left unexplained, others need more support, distinctions should be made. But it is the work of a Sunday afternoon as I wait to go to Mass, and now my time is up.

May the Lord of all guide you in the decisions you make, including any votes you may cast. Form your conscience well and act wisely and protect those who need your help. God bless you.

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But Jesus calling them, saith to them: You know that they who seem to rule over the Gentiles, lord it over them: and their princes have power over them. But it is not so among you: but whosoever will be greater, shall be your minister. And whosoever will be first among you, shall be the servant of all. For the Son of man also is not come to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a redemption for many.

Mark 10:42-45

Good Friday

Our King

We must confess that Jesus is Lord

If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord
and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead,
you will be saved.
For one believes with the heart and so is justified,
and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved.
The Scripture says,
No one who believes in him will be put to shame.
There is no distinction between Jew and Greek;
the same Lord is Lord of all,
enriching all who call upon him.
For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Romans 10:9-13

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He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them,
“If any want to become my followers,
let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.
For those who want to save their life will lose it,
and those who lose their life for my sake,
and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.
For what will it profit them to gain the whole world
and forfeit their life?
Indeed, what can they give in return for their life?
Those who are ashamed of me and of my words
in this adulterous and sinful generation,
of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed
when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

Mark 8:34-38

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What shall it profit, my brethren,
if a man say he hath faith, but hath not works?
Shall faith be able to save him?

And if a brother or sister be naked, and want daily food:
And one of you say to them:
Go in peace, be ye warmed and filled;
yet give them not those things
that are necessary for the body, what shall it profit?

So faith also, if it have not works, is dead in itself.

But some man will say: Thou hast faith,
and I have works: shew me thy faith without works;
and I will shew thee, by works, my faith.

Thou believest that there is one God.
Thou dost well: the devils also believe and tremble.

But wilt thou know, O vain man,
that faith without works is dead?

James 2:14-20

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Faith without works and works without faith will both alike be condemned, for he who has faith must offer to the Lord the faith which shows itself in actions. Our father Abraham would not have been counted righteous had he not offered its fruit, his son (c.f. James 2:21; Romans 4:3).

St. Diadochos of Photki
On Spiritual Knowledge

King of the Nations

“Great and wonderful are your works,
Lord God almighty.
Just and true are your ways,
O king of the nations.
Who will not fear you, Lord,
or glorify your name?
For you alone are holy.
All the nations will come
and worship before you,
for your righteous acts have been revealed.”

Revelations 15:3-4

Click here for commentary from Pope Benedict on today's reading.

Iesu dulcissime, Redemptor

Act of Dedication of the Human Race to Jesus Christ King

A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful, who piously recite the Act of Dedication of the Human Race to Jesus Christ King. A plenary indulgence is granted, if it is recited publicly on the feast of our Lord Jesus Christ King.

Most sweet Jesus, Redeemer of the human race, look down upon us humbly prostrate before you. We are yours, and yours we wish to be; but to be more surely united with you, behold each one of us freely consecrates himself today to your Most Sacred Heart. Many indeed have never known you; many, too, despising your precepts, have rejected you. Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus, and draw them to your Sacred Heart. Be King, O Lord, not only of the faithful who have never forsaken you, but also of the prodigal children who have abandoned you; grant that they may quickly return to their Father's house, lest they die of wretchedness and hunger. Be King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions, or whom discord keeps aloof, and call them back to the harbor of truth and the unity of faith, so that soon there may be but one flock and one Shepherd. Grant, O Lord, to your Church assurance of freedom and immunity from harm; give tranquility of order to all nations; make the earth resound from pole to pole with one cry: Praise to the divine Heart that wrought our salvation; to it be glory and honor for ever. Amen.

Prayer Source: Enchiridion of Indulgences, June 29, 1968

Feast of Christ the King

Akathist Hymn to Our Lord, the Most Sweet Jesus

Sixth Chant

The light of Your truth shines forth
throughout the entire universe
and destroys the falsehoods of the devil.
Idols, being no match for Your power, O Savior,
fall down before You.
And we, who have received salvation, sing to You:
O Jesus, truly You have destroyed error!
O Jesus, Light Brighter than All Others!
O Jesus, Our King Surpassing All in Strength!
O Jesus, You delight in showing mercy!
O Jesus, Bread of Life, satisfy my hunger!
O Jesus, Fount of Intelligence, quench my thirst for truth!
O Jesus, Garment of Joy, cover me who am corruptible!
O Jesus, Joyous Shelter, protect me who am unworthy!
O Jesus, Who grants every prayer, grant me tears for my sins!
O Jesus, Possession of All Who Seek, possess my soul!
O Jesus, Contemplation of the Wise, open my Mind to penance!
O Jesus, Who paid the price for my sinfulness, cleanse me of sin!
O Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!


Kontakion

Fulfilling the precious mystery
revealed from the beginning of time,
You were led as a sheep to the slaughter,
and, as an innocent lamb,
You were silent before the shearers.
As God, You rose from the dead, and with glory,
You ascended into heaven,
so that we, exalted, might sing to Him: Alleluia!