Christ the King 28.10.12 A very different king
Kings are normally highly visible, living in palaces, with splendid clothing and lots of servants. Wherever they go they are preceded by trumpets etc. Yet the King of Heaven, who is far greater than any other king - is often invisible.
Take His Eucharistic presence, where He is present, but not visibly so.
And then in terms of authority, kings usually have an army and a police force to ensure compliance with their will.
But this King has no police. If you break His laws there is no one to arrest you. It is as though He is not insisting on His way.
We wish He did make himself known more obviously. We think that would bring all the atheists and lapsed Catholics to the faith. Generally it would be a much better world.
So we pray, with the psalms, Lord, show Yourself.
He does make Himself known but more subtly.
And if He does not have a secret service He knows what everyone is doing.
The wicked laugh because they think God is impotent. But He has all power and could easily smite anyone anytime. He is merciful and holds off what He could do in the hope of our repenting.
No one gets away with anything. Everything is stored away, either to be repented or punished.
Normal kingdoms (states) do not care what sort of person we are as long as we do not break the law. But God does care what we are like, inside as well as out.
The private and the public is all one to Him. and His laws are much more detailed and go much deeper than those of the state. Even thoughts and attitudes come under His scrutiny.
We cannot hide from Him. People worry about cameras intruding on their privacy. God does not need cameras!
He wants our total allegiance on all these points, to be His children as well as subjects.
This will work only if there is co-operation from the individual. He does not force it, yet it is compelling.
He tries to draw us to Himself. The language of love.
We must love Him – an imperative if ever there was one – yet He wants us to come to this by our own will. To this end He hides from us to some degree - to test us, to draw us out. He asks, Can you still believe and trust even though you cannot see or hear Me or you cannot understand how I am acting in your life?
If we do trust we will see time and again that He is faithful.
He is invisible because He wants to lead us beyond just sense experience and come to deeper understanding of the meaning and direction of our lives.
Only then are we truly children of the kingdom. Children not slaves.
So it comes to this, we have to do it (love God) but we have to want to do it! We hate being told what to do, but when we see the whole story it becomes clearly the right and only valid option.
So let’s get down to it and honour Him, freely and willingly. The King of kings, and Lord of lords.
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