Mike’s Meditations: We Have No King but Caesar

WE HAVE NO KING BUT CAESAR

Are we ready to run from any idea of Christ wearing gold and sitting on a throne? In order to follow the footsteps of King Jesus, are we eager to walk with the persecuted and outcast?

By: Mike Van Vranken, Spiritual Director Photo Credit: Still from The Passion of the Christ Movie, Google Images

IN THE MOVIE Brother Sun, Sister Moon, there is a dramatic scene where priests dressed in jewel adorned vestments are incensing a life-sized crucifix with Christ’s body covered in a golden stole, and whose head is overlayed with the gold and glittery crown of an earthly king. Looking on are the poor and lame and sick of the city, gazing at an image of Christ they have no way of relating to. For this is human royalty with all of its wealth and power, who never walks with the lowly, sick, troubled and outcast. The scene is so troubling to Francis, he cries out “NO” and runs from the church. It is obvious that the well dressed and pious clerics had forgotten what Francis knew all too well: Christ’s kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36).

Maybe that’s why it took the Church until 1925 to declare a Feast of Christ the King; for fear we would put Jesus on a white horse instead of a donkey (Matthew 21:5). Perhaps we would insert a sword in his hand although he specifically forbade its use (Matthew 26:52). Maybe they realized we couldn’t resist a king who would make us number 1, rather than being last (Matthew 20:16).

I have had a love relationship with the Feast of Christ the King for forty years. Yet, I also know that Francis of Assisi could not imagine Christ in any way other than meek and humble of heart (Mt. 11:29). He saw the true image of Christ eating with the outcast and healing them of their illnesses. This month, can we imagine in prayer the upside-down kingdom where Christ is our king?

Picture our kingdom where the citizens are poor financially and poor in spirit (Mt. 5:3; Luke 6:20). Is this really the kingdom we choose to live in? How does this image make you feel? Ask God for his perspective on this.

In Christ’s kingdom it is those who mourn and weep who are laughing and comforted (Mt. 5:4; Luke 6:21). Here, in order to receive anything, we have to give it away first, not take it (Luke 6:38). Here, it is the merciful who will obtain mercy. It is the peacemakers who are called children of God, and the meek will be the heirs of it all. The ones who will be satisfied are those who hunger and thirst for justice (a thorough reading of God’s love story with his people [the Bible] leads to only one conclusion: God’s justice is mercy. And finally, we are all truly blessed when we are persecuted.

So, how about it? Are we ready to celebrate and be thankful for this image of Christ the King? Like Francis of Assisi, are we ready to run from any idea of Christ wearing gold and sitting on a throne? In order to follow the footsteps of King Jesus, are we eager to walk with the persecuted and outcast? Are we prepared to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and shelter the homeless? Are we longing to be peacemakers and justice seekers for everyone? This is all what the kingdom of our King looks like. Are we comforted by it? Or, do we prefer the rich, powerful, jewel adorned Christ instead? One of these images is real. The other is man-made. Which will we follow?

In your prayer time this month, sit quietly with the images of Christ’s counter-culture kingdom and imagine Jesus standing as king before Pilate. Talk to Jesus about what you envision it was like to live with the outcast and poor. Tell him how it makes you feel to desire to live this way; to be last, not first. To be meek and humble, not proud and strong. To mourn and weep, to hunger and thirst, to seek peace and to show mercy and compassion, to give before you ever receive. What are Jesus’ perspectives on all of this? Each day sit with him in thanksgiving and ask him. Then, watch and listen.

This Thanksgiving, I am very thankful we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King. I’m thankful for Jesus, Francis of Assisi, Pope Francis and Francis our bishop, all who show us the way to follow the kingly Christ in a kingdom of meekness, love and service. Let’s celebrate our own citizenship in Christ’s upside-down, counterculture kingdom this month with the joy and hope of the gospel coupled with humility and thanksgiving in our hearts. Seek first the upside-down kingdom of Christ, and everything else will be given to you (Matthew 6:33).

Are we prepared to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and shelter the homeless? Are we longing to be peacemakers and justice seekers for everyone? This is all what the kingdom of our King looks like. Are we comforted by it? Or, do we prefer the rich, powerful, jewel adorned Christ instead? One of these images is real. The other is man-made. Which will we follow?

Mike Van Vranken is a spiritual director, a member of the teaching staff for the Archdiocesan Spirituality Center of New Orleans Formation of New Spiritual Directors, an author and a speaker. He can be contacted at mikevanvranken@comcast.net