The Reign of Christ and His Kingdom

Deacon Peter Nguyen, IVE

In the days before the coming of Christ, the common view held by the Jews concerning the Messiah was that of a social and political savior, someone who would liberate them from their temporal woes and oppressions.  He was to fulfill their utopian aspirations of being free from the Romans and live comfortable lives in fame and prosperity.  As a result, many Jews settled for the false gods of other nations where it seemed more appealing in fulfilling their hopes.  Like the Jews, we may find ourselves seeking an alternative plan of salvation in another “kingdom.”

​Over the past few months, our society has been troubled by so many different causes such as illness, economic struggles, unnecessary violence and destruction, political tension, etc., and needless to say how these have contributed to our struggles within our hearts as well.  For some, it may seem that a solution needs to be applied primarily at the social level.  But the answer is much deeper and, sadly, often downplayed

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At the center of the drama of creation is man’s relationship with God.  Through sin, we estrange ourselves from the Creator and Giver of “every good and perfect gift”[1], who has been working to restore our relationship with Him and while patiently waiting for our response.  Incidentally, human relationships, especially when ending in disappointment or frustration, should point us to the relationship that we truly long for: our reunion with God.  When we work towards this reconciliation, we will begin to find harmony and peace flowing into our lives.  “It must be recalled that…this reconciliation with God leads, as it were, to other reconciliations, which repair the other breaches caused by sin.  The forgiven penitent is reconciled with himself in his inmost being, where he regains his innermost truth.  He is reconciled with his brethren whom he has in some way offended and wounded.”[2]  As a true religion (coming from the Latin re-ligare, to bind again or re-eligere, to choose again), our faith is to be lived out manifesting to world of our reconciliation with God.

But in order for Christ to reign in our society, He first must reign in our hearts.

The fulfillment of this reconciliation is Jesus Christ, who is present in us through grace.  Besides being present through the Church as Head of the Mystical Body, Jesus also resides in us as King.  Speaking on the Kingdom of God, Benedict XVI wrote “that Christ  uses  these  words  to refer  to  himself:    He,  who  is  in  our  midst,  is  the ‘Kingdom  of  God,’  only we do not know him (cf Jn 1:30)....He himself is the treasure; communion with him is the pearl of great price”[3].  Here is our answer to a world wounded by sin and desperate for hope.  It is us individual persons that God wants to save and through us, those who have yet to accept the message of salvation.  But in order for Christ to reign in our society, He first must reign in our hearts.  How, then, are we to nourish and cultivate the Kingdom of God within us?

1. Enough cannot be said about the importance of the Sacraments of Holy Eucharist and Confession, whereby we come into contact with Christ on the Cross teaching us of the depth of His love and mercy for us individually.  How many times have you left the confessional at peace and grateful for being given another chance, two things that the world will never give you?  How are you not moved by all the measures God has humbly taken to be united with you in every possible way?  The obvious response to such a profound love which has poured out everything for our benefit is to follow the same blueprint laid out for us.  “Christ became obedient…”[4]
2. To follow in the footsteps of Christ’s obedience, a true and humble knowledge of Jesus is vital.  Primarily, I am referring to prayer since it is the proper place in which we begin to put on the mind of Christ.  We learn so much more by contemplating the Person of Christ, His example, the sentiments which He carried to His Passion, etc.  We learn of the immense value saving our soul and the freedom it brings. 
   ​​Secondarily, by a true and humble knowledge, I refer to educating yourself in the faith not only from an academic approach but also, acquiring an ardent desire to know the truth about God, yourself, etc. through the principles contained in our faith.  Nowadays, we receive so much information that we do not know how to evaluate them or simply do so on the basis of current opinions.  “Indifference in respect to truth is shown, for example in the opinion placed in the truth and falsehood of ethics, which is then only a matter of tastes, personal decisions or cultural or social condition…it is clear that the origin of indifference to truth lies deep in the human heart.  Truth cannot be found if it is not loved; you don’t know the truth if you don’t want to know it.”[5]  Oftentimes, we are afraid of the demands we have to live up to in accepting the truth.  However, if our desire is to truly seek union with Jesus Christ, we will be provided with all that we need to obtain it. 
   

Enough cannot be said about the importance of the Sacraments of Holy Eucharist and Confession, whereby we come into contact with Christ on the Cross teaching us of the depth of His love and mercy for us individually.

By building up our love for the Kingdom in our souls, we will effectively make Jesus Christ known and loved in society by our witness of life.  Although many will still reject our testimony as Christ warns us, He urges us to persevere and “take courage,  I have overcome the world.”[6]  We will be strengthened by Holy Spirit in knowing how to guard, defend, and cultivate the treasures entrusted to the Church and put the rest aside for the renewing of society.  It not through a certain set of actions which make witnesses credible, but rather the fidelity to Person by whom we are called.  “And He went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him.  He appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with Him and He send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons”.[7]


[1] James 1:17 
[2] CCC 1469
[3] Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, Jesus of Nazareth, pg. 60-61
[4] Philippians 2:8
[5] St. John Paul II, General Audience, Wednesday August 24th, 1983
[6] John 16:33
[7] Mark 3:13-15