SERMON OF SAINT AUGUSTINE
Tract. 51 in Joann. 12-13; Tract 117 in Joann. 19-21
“What great matter was it for the King of all worlds to become King of men? For Christ was not King of Israel for exacting of tribute, or arming a host with the sword, and visibly subduing enemies: but King of Israel that He should rule minds, that He should counsel for eternity, that He should bring unto the kingdom of heaven them that believe, hope, and love. Being then, Son of God, the Word by whom all things were made, that it should be His will to be King of Israel is condescension, not preferment, a betokening of mercy, not an increasing of power. For He who was called on earth King of the Jews is in heaven Lord of the Angels. But is Christ King of the Jews only, or also King of the Gentiles? Yea, of the Gentiles also. For when He said in the prophecy: But I am set by Him as King upon Sion His holy mountain, preaching the precepts of the Lord, lest on account of the Mount Sion, any should say that He was set as King only of the Jews, He hath straightway subjoined: The Lord hath said unto Me, Thou art My Son: this day I have begotten Thee. Ask of Me, and I shall give Thee the heathen for Thy inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for Thy possession.”
QUAS PRIMAS OF POPE PIUS XI
‘It has long been a common custom to give to Christ the metaphorical title of "King," because of the high degree of perfection whereby he excels all creatures. So he is said to reign "in the hearts of men," both by reason of the keenness of his intellect and the extent of his knowledge, and also be-cause he is very truth, and it is from him that truth must be obediently received by all mankind. He reigns, too, in the wills of men, for in him the human will was perfectly and entirely obedient to the Holy Will of God, and further by his grace and inspiration he so subjects our free-will as to incite us to the most noble endeavors. He is King of hearts, too, by reason of his "charity which exceedeth all knowledge." And his mercy and kindness [Ephesians 3: 9] which draw all men to him, for never has it been known, nor will it ever be, that man be loved so much and so universally as Jesus Christ.’