This coming Sunday we will celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King, the one who reigns over “things visible and invisible.” That classic expression from the Nicene Creed covers a lot, but it does remind us that we live as people surrounded by all manner of powers: secular, cultural, familial, demonic, and the list goes on. At some point I am sure each one of us wishes that Christ the King would reign a little more concretely over all those other powers visible and not. But perhaps the core intrinsic value of the Reign of God is love. And love always has to be a free choice. I just might be that for us to truly love, part of that commitment is to give up our freedom such that we have no choice at all except Jesus. Continue reading →