Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
For me, November elections bring back memories of the nine years I spent handing on the Church’s social teaching to high school students. I came to enjoy the controversial conversations that occurred in those classes, but of all the “hot takes” I heard I cannot recall anyone ever claiming that we should have a king. We Americans are born rebels, with a natural suspicion of government authority and bad allergy to tyranny.
For me, November elections bring back memories of the nine years I spent handing on the Church’s social teaching to high school students. I came to enjoy the controversial conversations that occurred in those classes, but of all the “hot takes” I heard I cannot recall anyone ever claiming that we should have a king. We Americans are born rebels, with a natural suspicion of government authority and bad allergy to tyranny.
This mindset, however, can create a challenge for us as evangelists. At the end of the liturgical year, we celebrate Jesus Christ as the King of the Universe. Yet, given where we come from, Americans tend to think of kingship in terms of abusive political power. Since nobody wants to be controlled, taken advantage of, or oppressed, how can we proclaim Jesus as King without stirring up any of the negative associations people may have with this royal title?
First, let us remember what Jesus tells Pontius Pilate: "My kingdom does not belong to this world" (Jn. 18:36). Jesus, as we know, is not a political ruler who uses his power to manipulate or exploit people.
Second, we must observe the contrast Jesus draws between worldly rulers and himself: "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. But... the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Matt 20:25-28). For Jesus, leadership is service, and wielding power means sacrificing for the good of others.
When we proclaim Jesus as King, then, we honor him as the ultimate self-giving servant and savior. Doing so does not mean submitting ourselves to a tyrant, but accepting the love, protection, and guidance of the One who knows all and who loves perfectly. Far from restricting our freedom and interfering with our pursuit of happiness, Jesus helps us use our freedom well to reach our ultimate fulfillment.
So, if calling Jesus the King of the Universe makes him sound demanding, overbearing, or intimidating to us, we should adjust our understanding of his kingship. And if we encounter anyone else who suffers from the same misconception, let’s reassure them that the reign of Jesus is not about power or control, but rather abundant life (Jn. 10:10).
Casey Vandenberg is the Director of Evangelization for the Diocese of Lansing. An adult convert to Catholicism, Casey is a married father of three and is a parishioner at Saint Mary Cathedral in Lansing.
