JESUS, KING OF OUR HEARTS* (Dan. 7:13-14; Rev. 1:5-8; John 18:33-37)
By REV. FR. PAUL ANIGBORO
Congratulations on making it to the last Sunday of the Liturgical year. Every last Sunday of the Liturgical calendar is always set aside for the solemnity of Christ the King.
When we talk about Christ as the King of hearts, we do not make reference to the popular TV show on Zee World, which some persons find it difficult to miss, 'King of Hearts', rather; we are talking about Jesus, as the supreme king of hearts. When we allow him into our hearts, he takes charge and possession of us. We will emulate his simplicity, kindness, meekness, gentleness and humility.
Thus, on a day like this, our readings reflect the theme of kingship. While the books of Daniel and Revelation talks about a kingship that will never end, which was a response to the terrifying oppression being experienced by the people of Israel during the times theses books were written. In the gospel, however, we find a rare dialogue between Jesus and Pilate, where Jesus declared himself as king. The result was that he was killed. We can say that Jesus was killed on the account of treason because part of the evidences against him was that he was accused of calling himself “King of the Jews”. This is false because no where in the bible did Jesus said he is the King of the Jews.
The kingship of Jesus is certainly not of this world (John 18:36), but his persecutors didn't understand. They were expecting a political messiah but Jesus came as a spiritual messiah. To belong to his kingdom, we have to allow him reign in our hearts. To belong to Christ's kingdom, we have suppress our wills and allow his will be done.
Jesus ushered in his kingdom through Love, by appealing to the hearts of people – a kingdom that will not be brought through revolution, but through the evolution from within, through the conversion of hearts. Now, this is going to take time. It will be a slow process. It entails pain and even death. He opts to be the “Suffering Servant”. And that is why, as the gospels describe, he ends up as a king who hangs on the cross.
Do you belong to his kingdom? Have you slowed Christ to reign in your hearts? *Let us today reaccess our commitment to Christ the King.* If he truly reign in our hearts, then our actions will be Christ-like. *Secondly, let us give Jesus control over our lives.* In Matt. 11:28, he says come to me.... It is only in him that we can truly have rest for our hearts. *Thirdly, let us emulate Christ's lesson of humble service to the truth.* He came to bear witness to the truth. If we belong to the kingdom, truth must surely be our watchword, even when it hurts. *Lastly, we need to obey the law of love* because that is what governs in the kingdom of Christ. *If you can't love, you can't belong to his kingdom.*
Lord Jesus, come and reign today in my heart. Fill me with your love and help me to remain a citizen of your kingdom through the good actions I carry out. Amen.
Good morning and do have a restful Sunday. God loves you.
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