Feast of Christ the King: Opening Doors to Let Jesus Reign in Our Lives

In the First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians, there is a powerful verse that says, 'For He must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet' (1 Cor 15:25). This letter, written by St. Paul to the church in Corinth, emphasizes the theme of problems in Christian conduct within the church.

Fr. Cesar Jaramillo, a priest from New Jersey, brings attention to this verse as some Christian denominations mark Sunday as the Feast of Christ the King. Also known as the Solemnity of Christ the King or Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, this day serves as an invitation to let Christ truly reign in our families, schools, communities, and the world.

The Feast of Christ the King was first instituted by Pope Pius IX in 1925, with the intention of reminding a world filled with political turmoil and the constant threat of war that no creature can pretend to be above its Creator, lest chaos be unleashed to the detriment of all humanity.

Fr. Jaramillo, who is currently pursuing graduate studies in Rome, reflects on how Jesus is depicted as the supreme judge in Michelangelo's 'Last Judgment'. This visual representation of the kingship of Jesus Christ in the Sistine Chapel reminds humanity of its ultimate purpose in life and the wonderful kingdom we were made for.

Through His passion, death, and resurrection, Christ the King inaugurates the Kingdom of God, which is manifested in the Church. This passage from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians reaffirms that Jesus is the Supreme King and Judge of all peoples, and humanity must subject everything to Him.

Fr. Jaramillo emphasizes that while being a disciple of Christ is challenging, it also conveys the glorious splendor of God's Kingdom. The Feast of Christ the King serves as an invitation to open wide the doors of our heart to Christ, allowing Him to reign in our families, schools, communities, and the world.