Jesus, King and Center of All Hearts

I am a self-professed anglophile; I love reading British literature and watching period dramas that focus on the history of the English monarchy. While the social customs and complexities of British high society continue to fascinate me, the behaviors of the royals often leave me perturbed. To be completely honest, the king or queen usually comes across self-seeking and power hungry, though occasionally they redeem themselves by showing concern for the welfare of the country. I am left with a great amount of gratitude that I do not reside in a monarchy or need to answer to a king.

And yet, today the Catholic Church invites us all to become subject to a king, Jesus. The Feast of Christ the King is a challenge to reconcile my knowledge of worldly kingship as a harsh and binding loyalty with the reality of who Jesus is. Jesus is not at all like the kings we are familiar with today. While historical kings appeared in grandeur on thrones and fretted about quashing rebellions and ousting traitors, today’s Gospel depicts Jesus on the cross, receiving abuse and insults. And amid all this chaos, Jesus chooses to listen to the plea of the man suffering beside him. What does it mean, then, that this is the same person we are now calling king?

There seems to be a lot of chaos all around. Even walking through the grocery store I can encounter pumpkins and skeletons comingling with Christmas trees and tinsel. There is so much to do, so many places to be, and just never enough time to sit and experience peace. Beyond the surface of everyday life, there is also the challenge of navigating
interactions with others. Differing opinions about politics and other social issues drive wedges into even old friendships. I can feel loneliness, loss, sadness, and hopelessness as I look at the world. I am not so different from the man suffering beside Jesus. I can call out to my king, who knows what I am enduring. The 1925 encyclical Quas Primas by Pope Pius XI speaks to all this chaos: “Men must look for the peace of Christ in the kingdom of Christ.” How can I enter Christ’s kingdom today?

Years ago, I came across a beautiful prayer, the Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Sacred Heart of Jesus is a beautiful image and devotion that began in the 11th century and grew to popularity after St. Margaret Mary Alacoque in the 1600s received several visions from Jesus that focused on Jesus’ great love and goodness. In the litany, a particular line stands out that recalls Jesus’ special kind of kingship: “Heart of Jesus, King and Center of all hearts, have mercy on us.” This line reminds me that Jesus is not just an earthly king with an earthly dominion. He is the king of my heart. He wants to be at the center of all that I do. Here is a great opportunity to reflect on how I can invite Jesus to rule more in my heart.

As we enter the new liturgical year, with the start of Advent next week, consider all the ways that you can invite Jesus to be more present in your life. I invite you to invite Jesus in, whether by joining in on Adult Formation opportunities, participating in a service project, or picking up a book for personal reflection. Jesus is waiting for you as a loving and generous king.

Michelle Schmid
Director of Formation