Tuesday 19 November 2013

Preparing for the Feast of Christ the King


Preparing for the Feast of Christ the King? Feast your eyes on then on Quas Primas, the encyclical of Pius XI. It's not popular with the UN or many Governments on Earth, but it is a worthwhile read for all.

16. Christ as our Redeemer purchased the Church at the price of his own blood; as priest he offered himself, and continues to offer himself as a victim for our sins. Is it not evident, then, that his kingly dignity partakes in a manner of both these offices? 
 
17. It would be a grave error, on the other hand, to say that Christ has no authority whatever in civil affairs, since, by virtue of the absolute empire over all creatures committed to him by the Father, all things are in his power. Nevertheless, during his life on earth he refrained from the exercise of such authority, and although he himself disdained to possess or to care for earthly goods, he did not, nor does he today, interfere with those who possess them. Non eripit mortalia qui regna dat caelestia.[27]
 
18. Thus the empire of our Redeemer embraces all men. To use the words of Our immortal predecessor, Pope Leo XIII: "His empire includes not only Catholic nations, not only baptized persons who, though of right belonging to the Church, have been led astray by error, or have been cut off from her by schism, but also all those who are outside the Christian faith; so that truly the whole of mankind is subject to the power of Jesus Christ."[28] 

Nor is there any difference in this matter between the individual and the family or the State; for all men, whether collectively or individually, are under the dominion of Christ. In him is the salvation of the individual, in him is the salvation of society. "Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given to men whereby we must be saved."[29] He is the author of happiness and true prosperity for every man and for every nation. "For a nation is happy when its citizens are happy. 

What else is a nation but a number of men living in concord?"[30] If, therefore, the rulers of nations wish to preserve their authority, to promote and increase the prosperity of their countries, they will not neglect the public duty of reverence and obedience to the rule of Christ. What We said at the beginning of Our Pontificate concerning the decline of public authority, and the lack of respect for the same, is equally true at the present day. "With God and Jesus Christ," we said, "excluded from political life, with authority derived not from God but from man, the very basis of that authority has been taken away, because the chief reason of the distinction between ruler and subject has been eliminated. The result is that human society is tottering to its fall, because it has no longer a secure and solid foundation."[31]

Come, Lord Jesus! Whatever happens with this Comet (or the next one, or the one after that), the Sun's 'flip out' and whatever, indeed, comes our way, let us recall that Christ is King, the same, yesterday, today and forever. His Empire is Universal. Whatever happens let us pray that we will be made and found worthy, by the infinite merits of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, and of Our Blessed Lady, Queen of the Universe, to serve Him and praise Him both now and for all eternity. Let us also pray that the end of pottery chalices will come soon.

Lord, have mercy. 

Lord, defeat modernism!

Christ, have mercy.

2 comments:

Br Brocard said...

The feast of Christ the King was changed after Vat II to the last Sunday of the year to show that Christ's reign will not come to the end of the world. You should follow the traditional Calendar which has it as the last Sunday of October. Did you also know that the Vatican FORCED Catholic states like Spain and Colombia to remove the word Catholic from their constitutions. Yet another example of a wicked fruit from a wicked Council.

Unknown said...

I could devote the space of my comment to those sentiments of mine which are in complete accord with Br Brocard, but I do have a quandary about the earthly authority issue. Jesus did say to Pontius Pilate, "you would have no power over me unless it had been given you from above." (John 19:11) It seems that God does permit the authority of evil rulers. Since Day 1 of Barack Obama's presidency I have understood it to be a scourge on my country (the world?) for our sins.

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