"on your own"
"Are you saying this on your own, or have others been telling you about Me?" —John 18:34
Jesus was put to death on the cross because He claimed to be the King of the Jews. Since that was Jesus' crime, it was inscribed in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek above His head on the cross (Jn 19:19-20).
On the feast of Christ the King, are you saying "on your own" (Jn 18:34) that Jesus is King or are you just observing the traditions of the Church by reading, praying, and singing "King-things" out of the missalette or songbook? If you are accepting "on your own" that Jesus is the King, you will be rejected and persecuted as He was. Because Jesus is not just a king but the King of kings (see Rv 1:5), He and His followers are a threat to all other kings and rulers, unless these acknowledge His supremacy. Therefore, He was crucified, and His subjects share in His sufferings (see Phil 3:10).
To celebrate today's feast day without hypocrisy, to truly accept Jesus as King, you must love Him enough to live and die for Him by giving everything to purchase the precious pearl of His kingdom (Mt 13:44, 46). Will you celebrate Christ the King on your own, or will you merely mouth what others tell you to say?
Prayer: King Jesus, I live and die for love of You alone.
Promise: "His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away, His kingship shall not be destroyed." —Dn 7:14
Praise: "Sing praise to our King, sing praise. For the King of all the earth is God, sing praise" (Ps 47:7-8). Praise Jesus, enthroned forever as King!
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, May 10, 2012
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