Rex in Latin—the opening word of the antiphon for Vespers today—does not emphasize kingship as we understand it at all. Instead, it calls Jesus' kingship a “cornerstone,” which “holds all things together as one,” and reminds us that we are all in this human household together, “one race all formed from the same clay.”
In other words, Jesus' kingship is not a lording it over us “as the pagans do” (Luke 22:24-27). The true Messiah will utterly redefine power and authority as servanthood (John 13:4-15), good shepherding (John 10:11-18), and uniting the group in love (John 17:20-24). Ken Wilber says that there is an authority that dominates, and an authority that protects life and growth, as exemplified by good parents. I am afraid most of the world is still waiting for this kind of authority, even in the churches. To this needed, and oh-so-desired kingship, we still say COME!
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