The Feast of Christ the King is a pivotal celebration in the Church. It prioritizes Christ’s universal kingship. Reflecting on its historical background deepens our connection to this solemn feast and centers us on our spiritual core. In this article, I set my thoughts against a turbulent yet pivotal time when Pope Pius XI established the Feast. My goal is for the reader to grasp the feast’s relevance today.
The World in Turmoil: Setting the Stage for the Feast
The 1920s was a decade marked by stark contrasts and global uncertainties. World War I (1914–1918) had ended, leaving the world to piece together the fragments of human suffering and loss. Adding to this sorrow was the 1918 Influenza Pandemic (the so-called Spanish Flu), which claimed the lives of approximately 40 million people worldwide. A comparable context would be the uncertainties of COVID-19 in 2020, but it can’t even compare to the bleak spirit of the 1920s. There was hope for peace amid the chaos, but it remained fragile and uncertain.
Scientific breakthroughs and technological innovations characterized this era, earning it the nickname “the Roaring Twenties.” The invention of radio, television, automobiles (thanks to Henry Ford), and airplanes transformed society. Yet, these advancements often led to misplaced confidence in materialism, sidelining virtues like temperance and morality. Consumerism thrived, and spiritual values were neglected. Like the radical changes of our time with the AI revolution, the 1920s dealt with radical technological changes many needed to be equipped to handle.
On the political front, the thirst for power was unmistakable. Joseph Stalin rose to power in Communist Russia. Benito Mussolini became Italy’s fascist leader. Mexico’s President Plutarco Elias Calles sparked a civil war, the Cristero War, by oppressing Catholics. Adolf Hitler published Mein Kampf in 1925, laying the foundations for the Nazi regime’s descent into authoritarianism. It was a time marked by chaos and dangerous ambition, where humanity wrestled with the question of where true authority resides.
Pope Pius XI and the Establishment of the Feast
Amid this turmoil, Pope Pius XI acted as a voice of moral clarity. The Church’s prophetic role through the office of the papacy soared. On December 11, 1925, the Holy Father issued his encyclical Quas Primas from St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. He declared the universal observance of the Feast of Christ the King through it.
The pope sought to remind the world that Christ alone is the true King. His response to the ‘spirit of the times,’ a term used to describe a particular period’s prevailing attitudes and beliefs, was profound. He asserted Christ’s eternal reign as an antidote to the power-hungry leaders of his day.
Pope Pius XI grounded his declaration in Scripture and theology. Christ is King not only because of his divine perfection but also due to his reign over the hearts and wills of all people. Kings rule by force; Christ reigns through the tremendous love of his grace. The pope highlighted the significance of the Incarnation, stating that Christ’s kingship is rooted in his very person. Through Quas Primas, he called the world back to the rule of Christ as the source of truth, justice, and peace. It is a reign whose top virtue is sacrificial love.
What Kind of Kingdom Does Christ Rule?
Christ’s kingship stands in stark contrast to worldly notions of monarchy. Jesus eloquently addressed this distinction when he said, “My kingship is not of this world” (John 18:36). His kingdom is not defined by political power or earthly wealth but by spiritual sovereignty. This profound contrast is a source of enlightenment about the true nature of Christ’s reign.
The path to Christ’s throne passed through suffering and sacrifice. His crown was made of thorns, his scepter was justice and mercy, his throne was the Cross, and his royal palace was Golgotha. He reigns in all hearts from this place of ultimate humility and love. The Apostle Paul affirms this in Philippians 2:8-11, declaring that every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
The kingdom of Christ is universal, encompassing all creation—visible and invisible. It is a realm of righteousness, peace, and joy where conflicts are reconciled and divisions healed. In this divine kingdom, the weak stand alongside the strong as equals, and all peoples and races form a loving family in him. This emphasis on the universal nature of Christ’s kingdom makes the audience feel included and part of a loving family.
Christ’s Relevance Beyond the Spiritual Realm
Some might wonder if Christ’s kingship has any bearing on civil affairs. Pope Pius XI firmly rejected the notion that Jesus is irrelevant to temporal matters. He argued that Christ’s authority extends over all creation, given to him by the Father. However, Christ chose to keep his divine mission distinct from political power during earthly life to avoid confusion about his purpose. This stress on the relevance of Christ’s kingship to civil affairs makes the audience feel empowered and responsible.
Christ respects humanity’s God-given freedom, never exercising dominion as a tyrant. Although he is Lord and God, he chooses the place of a servant. His kingdom invites, rather than coerces, participation.
Recognizing Christ’s kingship and responding to its demands leads to salvation—not just personal but societal as well. The pope stressed that in Christ lies the salvation of the individual and the world (Quas Primas, no. 18).
A Call to Enthrone Christ in Our Lives
The Feast of Christ the King challenges us to enthrone Christ in our hearts, families, communities, and nations. It also challenges individuals to reject radical selfishness and any leadership that involves force and violence.
Leadership modules that learn from Christ emphasize the persuasion of love and justice over the violence of force and coercion. Radical individual and collective narcissism gives way to empathy and the advancement of the common good.
Christ’s reign brings harmony, peace, and unity where divisions once ruled. Surrendering to his kingship, we align ourselves with the eternal kingdom of grace and truth.
May this feast inspire us to live as faithful children of Christ our King, allowing his love and justice to shape our lives and the world around us. May leaders learn from Christ, who reigns not through hate or force but through love and peace.
