Oblates of St. Francis de Sales

New DeSales World Newsletter - Summer Edition

CHRIST THE KING (November 26, 2006)

Readings Dn 7: 13-14 Ps 93: 1-2, 5 Rv 1: 5-8 Jn 18: 33b-37

Suggested Emphasis

"His Dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away; his kingship shall not be destroyed."

Salesian Perspective

Today we celebrate Christ's kingship, Christ's power, Christ's royal character. Unlike earthly kings, however, Christ's dominion, as we hear in the Book of the Prophet Daniel, is an everlasting dominion. Unlike other kings, Christ's reign will never pass away.

What kind of king is Christ? How is his dominion unique among other monarchs? We look to the words of St. Francis de Sales in a conference on "hope" he gave to the Sisters of the Visitation in 1620. The occasion was the founding of yet another Visitation community (some 80 of which were established by the time St. Jane de Chantal died in 1641):

"You have always only one and the same king, our crucified Lord, under whose authority you will live secure and safe wherever you may be. Do not fear lacking anything, for as long as you do not choose any other king, he will always be with you. Take care to increase in love and fidelity towards Christ's divine goodness, keeping as close to this king as possible, and then all will be well with you. Learn from him all that you have to do. Do nothing without his advice. This king is the faithful friend who will guide you and govern you and take care of you as, with all my heart, I ask him to do."

No benign dictator here. No benevolent tyrant. No monarch who lords his power over other. No self-serving leader who consolidates his wealth or influence at the expense of others.

Christ is a crucified king. He is a monarch who lays down his life for others. His dominion serves the needs of others. His prestige gives others guidance and hope. His kingdom provides sound advice. His commonwealth is all about faithful, loving friendship.

Francis de Sales (as he so often does) really nailed it when he wrote in his Introduction to the Devout Life: "We lose nothing by living generously, nobly, courteously, and with a royal, just and noble heart." (Part II, Chapter 36)

Like Christ, we are called to use our God-given power and promise to serve the needs of others. Like Christ, our royal "divine right" demands that we love one another with "a royal, just and noble heart."

How do we use our "divine right" as sons and daughters of God?

Rev. Michael S. Murray, OSFS, is the Executive Director of the De Sales Spirituality Center.