My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord,
In 1925, Pope Pius XI established a new feast to end the liturgical year, the Feast of Christ the King. That time in history had seen the rise of the totalitarian systems, such as communism and socialism, which infringed on the free practice of the faith. Because the dominion of Christ the King was not a political but rather a spiritual reign, it could really co-exist with any type of government, as long as religious freedom was allowed. Normally, democracy would seem to be the best system of government compatible with the Christian faith, but a monarchy or other forms of government can also allow the Christian faith to thrive, if real freedom of conscience and worship are supported.
This feast allows us to recognize the tension that exists today between faith and politics in our own land. When Jesus was asked the famous question by Pontius Pilate, “Are you a King?,” Jesus simply said, “You say so.”
But what do we say about Christ? Is He our King? Is our conscience guided by our allegiance to Christ or a political party or to some other loyalty?
In a recent survey of American Catholics, it was found that even the most loyal and fervent Catholics do not want the Church involved in “politics,” not realizing that they are influenced by the now famous separation of Church and State argument, made to exclude the rights of conscience from influencing social issues with moral content. This so-called “wall” of separation was developed in the early history of our Republic so that the Church would be protected from the intrusion of the State and not the other way around. We must bring truth into the public square. We do not wish, as a Church, to impose our values on others, but neither can we allow others, or the State, to impose their values on us in a democratic society.
The Catholic Church in the U.S. has a great history of supporting God and country, which is inscribed in almost every school we built and displayed in almost all churches by the American flag. We are most American when we defend our right to religious liberty and freedom of conscience. Our freedom is a gift from God and is not a grace allowed by the states.
By allowing Christ to be our King, we put out into the deep recesses of human freedom and responsibility. No matter how many limits and restrictions may be placed on our freedom as believers (I have in mind the Health and Human Services directives of Obamacare), from those opposed to contraception and sterilization to provide for these in medical coverage to employees, no government can take away our freedom in Christ to whom our ultimate loyalty belongs. Remember, as we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King, that our King reigns forever in the minds and hearts of all believers. Long Live Christ the King!
