Christ the King

St. Ignatius of Loyola invites us to consider our relationship with Christ the King. As a knight, the image of a king was easily imagined for Ignatius. Most of us presently struggle to imagine the reign of an earthly king. For the early Christians, kingship or sovereignty was a description of the relationship between Jesus and those who follow Jesus.

The relationship is pure gift, unearned. 

Ignatius invites us to imagine the earthly kings that have inspired us. Instead of a king, maybe we bring to mind a teacher, coach, or inspiring modern prophet. Pay attention to how it feels to follow such a person. 

Now we imagine Christ the King. Jesus clearly states his mission in the Sermon on the Mount. In light of that mission, we ask ourselves: What do I feel? Do I want to join Christ? Does it make me excited? Passionate? Scared? Afraid? Courageous? Hopeful? What things do I resist? How do I want to join? What ignites inside of me?