~The Feast of Christ the King~


Novena to Christ the King

MEDITATION

JESUS began his public life by announcing His Kingdom. "The Kingdom of God is at hand! Reform your lives and believe in the Gospel!" [Mk 1:14]. The Kingdom of God is primarily spiritual. Its final realization consists in the union of all the blessed in the possession of God in Heaven.

Entrance into this Kingdom comes through the acceptance of the Gospel message by faith and the receiving of Baptism. Christ's Kingdom is not a worldly kingdom. The name by which the Kingdom of God is most commonly called is the Catholic Church. It is at once Divine and human; on earth and in Heaven. Small as a mustard seed in its beginning, it was destined to become catholic, that is, to embrace all the earth or to be universal. This concept of the Catholic Church as the one universal Kingdom of God makes it evident that there can be only one true Church, just as there can be only one true Kingdom of God.

The Church is Jesus Christ, living on and acting in the world through His duly authorized ministers, until the end of time. He gave to His Church a form, an organization which would enable it to carry on His work on earth -----to teach, to rule, and to administer to the souls of men.

Membership in the Kingdom of God is the most precious thing that a person can possess. We must regard it as a pearl beyond price and gratefully sacrifice for this gift.

Jesus Christ is our King -----all things have been created in Him, through Him, and for Him and as the Son, the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity, He is the perfect image of God.

It is of faith that Jesus Christ, as Man, has the fullest spiritual power, leading to salvation, establishing the Church and her Sacraments, and disposing of all graces in the supernatural order. In virtue of the union of His human nature with the Divine, He possesses still greater power, which is the foundation of His Kingship.

We, as individuals, must strive to be subject to Christ the King most perfectly, in mind, will, and heart, because we were purchased at the price of His Own Precious Blood. Christ must be King of the home and all human society.

NOVENA PRAYERS

Novena Prayer

JESUS, Thou didst declare that Thy Kingdom is upon the earth, but not of the earth; it is a spiritual, supernatural Kingdom, the Kingdom of truth. It fights with the power of conviction, and conquers by this means the hearts that by right belong to it. Thou Thyself art witness to this truth, and Thou Thyself art the Truth.

Jesus, I believe that Thou art truly a King because Thou hast come into the world to institute among people the rule of God; every person who is of the truth, who believes in God and recognizes His authority in human affairs, owes Thee a loyal and undivided allegiance and "hears Thy voice."

As a Catholic I am a member of Thy Kingdom, and Thou art my King. To Thee I owe loyalty, obedience, and love. Help me to carry out these most sacred duties toward Thee. I wish to be "of the truth " that is "a child of God" and gladly to hear Thy voice and follow Thee in all things. I accept Thee as my King and submit to Thy authority.

Reign supremely in my heart and in my life. Thy reign is heavenly peace; Thy law is love. Help me to pray and work that Thy Kingdom may come into every soul, every family, every nation.

Jesus, since I honor Thee as my King, I come to Thee with great confidence, asking Thee to grant this special favor, if it be Thy holy Will:

(Mention your request).

Lord Jesus Christ, my King, I adore Thee as the Son of God, and through the prayers of Thy most loving Mother I beg of Thee, send me from out of the abundance of Thy loving Heart the grace of the Holy Spirit in order that He may enlighten my ignorance, purify and sanctify my sinful heart, and confirm me in Thy holy love. This I request through the love of the Father and the Holy Spirit, through Thine infinite mercy, and through the merits of all Thy Saints. Amen.

Consecration

CHRIST, Jesus, I acknowledge Thee as King of the universe. All that has been made has been created for Thee. Make full use of Thy rights over me.

I renew the promises I made in Baptism when I renounced Satan and all his pomps and works. I promise to live a good Christian life. Especially, I undertake to help, to the extent of my means, to secure the triumph of the rights
of God and of Thy Church. Divine Heart of Jesus, I offer Thee my poor efforts so that all hearts may acknowledge Thy sacred Royalty and the Kingdom of Thy peace may be established throughout the entire universe. Amen.
 
Citations on the Kingship of Christ from Scripture

"I Myself have set up My King on Zion, My holy mountain You are My Son; this day I have begotten You. Ask of Me and I will give You the nations for an inheritance and the ends of the earth for Your possession. You shall rule them." -Ps 2:6-9
"The Lord God will give Him the throne of David His father. He shall be King over the house of Jacob forever and His Kingdom will be without end." -Lk 1 :32-33

"The Kingdom of God is at hand! Reform your lives and believe in the Gospel!" -Mk 1:14

"My Kingdom is not of this world. At this Pilate said to Him, 'So, then, You are a king?' Jesus replied: 'You are right in saying I am a King. The reason I was born, the reason why I came into the world, is to testify to the truth.' " -Jn 18:36-39

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