The image we receive from this Gospel passage is of the victorious Christ as KING in heaven in all his glory. Christ makes it perfectly clear in this Gospel passage that the Kingdom he preaches about is NOT the kind of kingdom that people in this world might think about. We are working to achieve GOD’S kingdom…both here on earth and in heaven. We need to make sure that we apply to be a member of this Kingdom, knowing that we can belong to HIS Kingdom only when we try to walk with Him daily, only when we try to live our lives fully in the spirit of the Gospel, and only when the spirit of the Gospel penetrates every facet of our living. If Christ is really King of our life, then He must be King of every part of our life. He mustreign in all parts of our life. We become Christ the King’s “subjects” when we sincerely respond to his loving invitation: "Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble of heart." By cultivating in our lives the gentle and humble mind of Christ, we show others that Jesus Christ is in indeed our King and that he is in charge of our lives. Citizens of Christ’s kingdom are expected to observe only one major law--the law of love. "Love God with your whole heart and love your neighbor as yourself.” "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." Jesus expects a higher degree of love from His followers: “Love one another as I have loved you.” On this great Feast of Christ the King, let us resolve to give Him the central place in our lives and promise to obey His commandment of love by sharing what we have with all His needy sons and daughters. St Thomas More is the patron saint of politicians. He was a brilliant lawyer and diplomat in 16th century England. His patriotism and loyalty to the throne attracted the attention of King Henry VIII who made him Lord Chancellor of England. What Henry VIII did not know was that Thomas More’s first loyalty was to Christ, the King of kings. When Henry VIII, decided to divorce his wife Catherine of Aragon, marry Anne Boleyn, and make himself head of the Church of England, More thought this was not right. Rather than approve what he believed to be against the divine will, he resigned from his prestigious and wealthy position as Lord Chancellor and lived a life of poverty. Since he would not give his support to the king, More was arrested, convicted of treason, imprisoned in the Tower of London in 1534 and beheaded in July of the following year. On his way to public execution, More encouraged the people to remain steadfast in the faith. His last recorded words were: “I die the king’s good servant, but God’s first.” For More, it was not simply enough to confess Christ privately in the safety of one’s heart and home; one must also confess him in one’s business and professional life as well as in the laws and policies that govern society. Gospel Question for the Week: What/Who holds first place in your heart?