Today the Catholic Church celebrates a feast known formally as The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the King of the Universe, and commonly called “Christ the King.” It gives me pause to reflect.

Through most of my life, Lord, I have looked to you as a fan would look to a talented performer, a skilled athlete, a great leader. I have admired you, and sought to emulate you. I have studied your

words and have respected your actions. I have thought highly of you and held you in esteem. You have been a mentor, a guide, a teacher, and I a student and fan.

But you don’t want an admirer; you want a disciple, and I don’t need a role model; I need a king.

—I need a king to protect me when the enemy comes against me ferociously.
—I need a king when injustice cries out for remedy.
—I need a king when I’m lost and have no purpose.
—I need a king when I can’t provide for myself.
—I need a king when I’m trapped inside myself and can’t find the way out.
—I need a king when the world seems so big and I, so small.
—I need a king when life seems empty and I need something to believe in.
—I need a king to guide me when there are too many choices.
—I need a king to light a bright fire that inspires me in the gray and gloom.
—I need a king to mete out justice in the midst of so much that is wrong.
—I need a king to strengthen me when I falter.
—I need a king to discipline me when I go astray.
—I need a king to come find me when I am lost.
—I need a king to ransom me when the enemy takes me where I do not want to go.
—I need a king to give order to a world that so often is confusing.
—I need a king to hold high the banner so that I may follow wherever you lead.
—I need a king to remind me that I am not the center of the world. You are.

Christ, be my king.

 

November 25, 2012

Msgr. William J. King