O Rex Gentium (O King of the nations)

Some of the titles given to Jesus are awkward to negotiate in a democratic world, let alone a world concerned with political correctness. To call Jesus “King of the Nations” and to allude to his role as the Judge of all needs a bit of thought if it isn’t to sound domineering and overbearing. “The authority rests on his shoulders,” wrote Isaiah (9:6) and, “He shall judge between nations.” (2:4) But can we still accept a God who claims to have authority and the right to judge?

Today’s antiphon reads:

O Rex Gentium, et desideratus earum,
lapisque angularis, qui facis utraque unum:
veni, et salva hominem,
quem de limo formasti.

O King of the nations, and their desire,
the cornerstone making both one;
Come and save the human race,
which you fashioned from clay.

It’s right to demand justice of our authority structures, it’s reasonable to be outraged when election promises are broken, when justice breaks down, when policing favours the privileged and treats the young and the invisible badly. But the fact that we readily insist that “they” should be doing something about it doesn’t suggest a move towards anarchy, but a deep seated desire for authority to be handled properly and fairly, and wielded on behalf of all the people. Authoritarianism is ugly, but authority is good; Judgemental is ghastly, but someone who ushers in true justice would surely be welcomed by the vast majority of people.

Isaiah’s words suggest that the Messiah qualifies as Rex Gentium precisely because only he can handle power and authority without becoming corrupt; only he can be a judge who is unbiased in his concern for true justice, and not open to coercion. He is a counsellor, an arbitrator, the prince of peace, under whose governance war will end and true peace be established. He does not favour the rich over the poor, but lifts up the needy from the ash heap.

“For unto us a child is born us, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulders; and he shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.”

He shall judge between the nations,
and arbitrate for many peoples;
and they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war anymore. (Isa 2:4)

~~~

This post comes from Maggi Dawn's wonderful blog with thanks for the continued inspiration