Christus Vincit, Christus Regnat, Christus Imperat!
From Sacred Space: The Prayer Book 2007, by the Jesuit Communication Centre in Ireland:
When we call Christ the King, we have to unthink the trappings of royalty, and picture him as Pilate saw him when he asked: "Are you a king?" He was rejected, in pain, deserted by his followers. He had known fear; he had sweated blood and called on God three times, using the self-same words: "Let this chalice pass from me." Yet Pilate was in awe. Jesus was unafraid now, ready to drain the bitter chalice, but himself untouched by bitterness. Here was a man who commanded the loyalty not so much of the successful and popular, as of the great mass of humankind who also pray daily that God spare them the bitter chalice. If he is a king, it is not as the overclothed icon of Byzantine art, but as the naked, crucified one.
From History of the Knights of Columbus Mexican Martyrs:
When soldiers invaded Ejutla on Oct. 27, 1927, Father Aguilar Alemán delayed his escape to destroy the seminary's student roll. When his captors asked him to identify himself, he replied, "I am a priest."
At midnight the next day Father Alemán was taken to the town square as he calmly prayed. After the soldiers hung a rope on a branch of a mango tree, Father Aguilar Alemán blessed the rope and loudly forgave his executioners. One shouted in his face: "Who lives?" He responded, "Cristo Rey y Santa María de Guadalupe" The noose was pulled and the priest was suspended in the air. He was lowered so that the same question could be asked. His reply was the same. Pulled and lowered again, he gasped out the same words. He died when he was pulled up the third time.
Some thoughts:
"Lift up your heads, O gates; rise up, you ancient portals, that the king of glory may enter. Who is this king of glory? The LORD, a mighty warrior, the LORD, mighty in battle." (Ps 24:7-8). Funny thing, this King. Pilate, who spent far to much time placating various "Kings" of the east, who were kings in name only, did not see a king here. "If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants (would) be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews" (Jn 18:36). After encountering Truth himself, the man who asked contemptuously, "What is truth?" was left only with, "I find no guilt in him" (Jn 18:38).
"Do you not speak to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you and I have power to crucify you?" (Jn 19:10). Translation: just give the right answer and I can get us both out of this riot-in-the-making. I'll have to beat you a bit, but you'll be free and can get on with your life. Father Aguilar, just say something nice about the government or the president and we can let you go. It'll be better for everyone. Sorry, wrong answer, Jesus. Wrong answer, Fr. Aguilar. You made it difficult on everyone and now you'll have to pay. Much like Eleazar of old, "Those who shortly before had been kindly disposed, now became hostile toward him because what he had said seemed to them utter madness" (2Mc 6:29). Death awaits.
But history is a harsh judge and time is an unforgiving mistress. Pilate is long dead, and his masters' mighty empire lies in ruin. The old regime in Mexico has long faded away and Mary's house at Guadalupe draws pilgrims by the tens of thousands. Who still lives? He does... and after all that is still King.
Viva Cristo Rey!
When we call Christ the King, we have to unthink the trappings of royalty, and picture him as Pilate saw him when he asked: "Are you a king?" He was rejected, in pain, deserted by his followers. He had known fear; he had sweated blood and called on God three times, using the self-same words: "Let this chalice pass from me." Yet Pilate was in awe. Jesus was unafraid now, ready to drain the bitter chalice, but himself untouched by bitterness. Here was a man who commanded the loyalty not so much of the successful and popular, as of the great mass of humankind who also pray daily that God spare them the bitter chalice. If he is a king, it is not as the overclothed icon of Byzantine art, but as the naked, crucified one.
From History of the Knights of Columbus Mexican Martyrs:
When soldiers invaded Ejutla on Oct. 27, 1927, Father Aguilar Alemán delayed his escape to destroy the seminary's student roll. When his captors asked him to identify himself, he replied, "I am a priest."
At midnight the next day Father Alemán was taken to the town square as he calmly prayed. After the soldiers hung a rope on a branch of a mango tree, Father Aguilar Alemán blessed the rope and loudly forgave his executioners. One shouted in his face: "Who lives?" He responded, "Cristo Rey y Santa María de Guadalupe" The noose was pulled and the priest was suspended in the air. He was lowered so that the same question could be asked. His reply was the same. Pulled and lowered again, he gasped out the same words. He died when he was pulled up the third time.
Some thoughts:
"Lift up your heads, O gates; rise up, you ancient portals, that the king of glory may enter. Who is this king of glory? The LORD, a mighty warrior, the LORD, mighty in battle." (Ps 24:7-8). Funny thing, this King. Pilate, who spent far to much time placating various "Kings" of the east, who were kings in name only, did not see a king here. "If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants (would) be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews" (Jn 18:36). After encountering Truth himself, the man who asked contemptuously, "What is truth?" was left only with, "I find no guilt in him" (Jn 18:38).
"Do you not speak to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you and I have power to crucify you?" (Jn 19:10). Translation: just give the right answer and I can get us both out of this riot-in-the-making. I'll have to beat you a bit, but you'll be free and can get on with your life. Father Aguilar, just say something nice about the government or the president and we can let you go. It'll be better for everyone. Sorry, wrong answer, Jesus. Wrong answer, Fr. Aguilar. You made it difficult on everyone and now you'll have to pay. Much like Eleazar of old, "Those who shortly before had been kindly disposed, now became hostile toward him because what he had said seemed to them utter madness" (2Mc 6:29). Death awaits.
But history is a harsh judge and time is an unforgiving mistress. Pilate is long dead, and his masters' mighty empire lies in ruin. The old regime in Mexico has long faded away and Mary's house at Guadalupe draws pilgrims by the tens of thousands. Who still lives? He does... and after all that is still King.
Viva Cristo Rey!