This evening at Mass, on the Solemnity of Christ the King, I watched as the line formed to receive Our Lord’s Precious Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity in Holy Communion.
Is Jesus not the most approachable of Kings? One Who is humble, condescending and generous beyond all imagining!
As I took my place in the Communion line I thought of how this Glorious King does not seek to surround Himself with the rich and powerful of His Kingdom, but prefers the simple and ordinary souls who would never be allowed in the presence of an earthly king.
Yet, if Jesus has any favorites, it is the poorest, most despised and rejected among us. His heart aches to love the least loved. His Mercy burns for the most wretched sinner. Jesus is the King of Love.
As I drew nearer to the priest and glanced above the altar, I did not behold a King robed in magnificent garments and crowned with jewels. I saw a gentle and irresistible King, hanging on a cross and wearing a crown of thorns.
This is Jesus Who is both King and Bridegroom, Whose Merciful Heart longs to wed every soul to Himself, to give each a share in His Eternal Glory and even a participation in His Own Divine Life.
That is what you do when you wed someone. You give them all that you have, and all that you are. And when Jesus gives Himself to us in Holy Communion, that is what He does. He gives ALL.
And for a throne, Jesus desires our hearts….yours and mine. How unthinkable that He would prefer us over all Creation, but He does. He yearns to be King of our hearts and make His dwelling there. He told us so on the night before He died.
Anyone who loves Me will keep my word,
and my Father will love him,
and we shall come to him
and make a home in him. (John 14:23) NJB
I could never find a picture for this post, glorious and beautiful enough to illustrate Jesus as He reigns in Heaven. But, I don’t think Jesus minds at all. He still bears His Wounds in Glory.
And somehow, I think He prefers the crown of thorns over any crown of gold and precious stones.
It is His Crown of Love….this King of Love. My King. Hopefully, your King too..
Our Heavenly Bridegroom!