Colossians 1:16
...whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things were created through him and for him.
Readings for Sunday: 2 Samuel, Colossians, Luke
Reflection:
Today’s political climate is marked by conflict, division, and constant disagreement. Suppose we swept away the presidency, Congress, the Supreme Court, and every political party, replacing them with a single king. Most of us would hesitate at the idea. History teaches that kings often became self-serving, unjust, or even despotic. Yet imagine if we could be guaranteed a king who was truly perfect. This king would be perfectly just, perfectly wise, perfectly selfless. A king who always acted for the good of his people, ruled with compassion, and could never die or be corrupted. With such a leader, elections, partisanship, and political corruption would vanish. Many of us might be intrigued by this possibility, though we assume no such king exists.
We Catholic Christians, however, profess that such a king does exist whose kingdom is not political and not confined to any earthly nation. God is King, not through force or election, but by virtue of being Creator. He made the universe from nothing, established the laws of physics, and sustains everything in existence. His “rules” are not arbitrary impositions but the wise principles that allow life and creation to flourish.
In ancient Israel, even human kings ruled only as God’s representatives, for God alone was the true King. We believe Jesus is God, who took on human nature without ceasing to be divine. As St. Paul teaches, all creation was made through him and for him; he is both the center and sustainer of the universe.
Jesus is King not only in his divinity but in his perfect humanity. He is the just, compassionate ruler who came not to be served but to serve, offering his life on the cross to save humanity. There on the crucifix we see our true King—a ruler whose throne is sacrifice and whose reign brings eternal life.
And so, the perfect, eternal King we imagine is not a fantasy. We have such a King in Jesus Christ.
Reflection Questions
- In your prayer, ask: Where in my life do I still cling to earthly forms of power or security; rather than trusting in the perfect kingship of Christ?
- Reflect on this: How does contemplating Jesus as both Creator and sacrificial King invite me to deepen my relationship with Him?
- Consider in quiet reflection: In what concrete ways am I being called to imitate Christ’s self-giving kingship—serving rather than seeking to be served?