In the midst of today's Solemnity, I remember my visit a few years ago to Christ in the Smokies Museum and Gardens in Gatlinburg, TN. There, people go on a guided tour of scenes from the story of Christ with life-size wax figures. Before the tour, there's an introductory video, and toward the end, there was one line that really stood out: Of all the parliaments that have sat, all the armies that have marched, and all the kings who have ruled, none has had the impact that Christ has had.
His impact is a result of His willingness to humble Himself and identify Himself with the lowly of the world, being a Shepherd Who cares for their needs and raise them up, while steering the proud toward greater humility. He is indeed a King, not all focused on wielding great power, but spreading all over the world a Reign of justice and mercy. It is at work even now, even as He calls us to join in advancing this Reign, taking on a mindset of solidarity by caring for those who are in need, because that summons forth in us the kind of attitude that makes God's presence known, so that when we meet the needs of the least ones, we do it for God. (It's like the story of St. Mother Katharine Drexel, who inherited a great amount of money, and used it to finance missions serving African-American and aboriginal Native Americans--and how fitting that her birthday this year coincides with this Feast of Christ the King.) That is the kind of attitude of the heart that leads us to God, desiring Him above all, desiring for Him to reign in our heart, and to be subjected to Him.
St. Paul reminds us in the 2nd reading that Christ has power because He died, and rose again from the dead, the firstfruits who indicated that we who are in Him will one day rise to New Life, too, with Eternal Life as our reward for living faithfully, loving Him by serving others. Then, everything will be subjected to Christ, and then He will subject Himself to the Father, so God may be all in all.
