Christ, the King of Our Lives

Once a month, we congregate in Christ the King Parish for a teaching in Couples for Christ. I come to reflect on my relationship with Christ as my King. An encyclical of Pope Pius XI called Quas Primas (latin for In the first) talks extensively about Christ as our King. It was written for the purpose of promulgating the Feast of Christ The King in 1925. I'd like to quote section 13 of the encyclical, "The foundation of this power and dignity of Our Lord is rightly indicated by Cyril of Alexandria. "Christ," he says, "has dominion over all creatures, a dominion not seized by violence nor usurped, but his by essence and by nature." 

What are the things in our lives that are itching for lordship?  We can get a hint on this in the scene of Christ's temptation in the desert (Luke 4:1-13). These lord-wanna-be's can potentially usurp Christ's Lordship over our lives if we do not defend our souls from them: the lords of the flesh, money and power, and applause.  These lords can do a guerilla warfare with our minds and hearts or do a hostile take over if we are open and vulnerable due to a lack of prayer.

Let us shun these worldly lords and declare allegiance to the Lord of lords, the King of kings -- Jesus Christ. When Christ the King reigns in our hearts, all the temptations will lose their appeal. Our fealty to Jesus will save us. Our King will defend us. Jesus is the King crucified who bought our freedom from the worldly kingdom of the evil one. Now that we have been ransomed by the King's blood, let us not waste the freedom given us. Let us bring others to discover the life Christ is offering in His Kindgdom.

1. How are the lords of flesh, money, power, and applause trying to lure you to their kingdoms?
2. What are you going to do to express your fealty to Christ the King? 

Great Things Await

Fear not how I may use you
My purpose will bring you joy
Worry not of the future
Tomorrow is in my hands

Surrender all evil intentions
Let me purify your soul
Receive my offer of blessing
Open your heart to me

My child, to Me you belong
behold your Father's love
Rise up, claim your identity
you are heir to My kingdom

Do not fret on the impossible
your faith can achieve no bounds
wake up from your slumber
Today great things await
 

Temporal or Eternal?

The thing about coffee is that I really can't take too much time in drinking it 'cause it will lose its hotness. So,  I would have to finish it in a bit of haste or waste good coffee. After sipping all up my favorite cup of cappuccino, I felt that I wanted more. I was left staring at an empty cup, and telling myself, "That's it?"..."Bitin (the feeling of lack)."

Like my cappuccino, all good things on this earth will come to end. All that we own is temporarily ours. Yes, we will feel the urge to acquire more. But like all earthly things, urges turn to lust, and lust turns to obsession. And obsessions never satisfy until it consumes our whole lives. We tend to spend too much time and money on what is temporal instead of the eternal. Funny how people do not recognize the value of tithing but consider much value on their own entertainment. Hear how people complain if the church asks for donation to finish the church structure or help in a project for the poor. Let us review where we dedicate our resources. How much time and money are we investing in our spiritual education and nourishment?
What then is eternal?

God's Word, the bread of life and His Kingdom are eternal. We are to invest time and money to understanding His Word and in building His Kingdom on earth. We are to invest where we want our souls to be in the after life. Surely, we will choose eternity in heaven. But what are doing to prepare ourselves for receiving eternal life?

The lures of this world are obvious. They are visible and very tempting. We succumb until we are convinced that this temporary life is already "it." We have to strengthen our faith and constantly be reminded of our true eternal destination.

Let us then be happy of living a simple life, with simple joys, and an abundant faith. Even if at times it's "Bitin" we need to have discipline and to be content. After all, the more we sacrifice on earth, the more our Father in heaven will store riches for us in our eternal home.

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