Every generation must decide whom it will follow. In our time, the “kings” we serve are often unseen—algorithms, trends, and screens that quietly shape what we value.
In a world where social media influences so much of our identity, it is easy to lose sight of the deeper questions that give true meaning to our lives. We measure our worth by likes, followers, WhatsApp status updates, and comments. But amid all this digital noise, a timeless question still whispers to every heart: Who is your King?
For Christians, the answer is clear: Christ.
The Kingdom of Service and Sacrifice
Christ’s kingship stands in radical contrast to the world’s values. Jesus did not come seeking glory, wealth, or influence. He came to serve. His Kingdom is not about taking, it is about giving. It is not about ruling with force but loving with sacrifice.
This paradox is beautifully expressed in Graham Kendrick’s hymn The Servant King, often sung on the Solemnity of Christ the King:
“This is our God, the Servant King,
He calls us now to follow Him,
To bring our lives as a daily offering,
Of worship to the Servant King.”
These simple yet profound words echo Christ’s invitation, not to dominance, but to service; not to self-advancement, but to daily self-offering.
Living Out Christ’s Kingdom in the Digital Age
1. From Self-Promotion to Service
Christ’s Kingdom is built not on self-promotion but on self-giving. In the world of social media, it is easy to chase attention, recognition, and applause. Yet every platform we use can become a place of ministry if we ask: How can I serve others here?
Each post, message, or story can offer hope, encouragement, or prayer. When our goal shifts from gaining followers to building others up, our digital presence becomes an extension of Christ’s love, a small but meaningful act of service.
2. Choosing Humility and Listening Over Visibility
The digital world rewards visibility, but Christ rewards humility. Before posting or commenting, it is worth pausing to ask: Am I seeking recognition, or am I seeking to serve?
Christ, the King of Kings, washed the feet of His disciples. True greatness is not found in being seen but in quietly serving and listening without bias. Humility, so rare online, is the beating heart of agape. When we share with sincerity rather than self-promotion, we reflect the Servant King more powerfully than any number of likes.
3. Becoming “Micro-Influencers” for Christ’s Kingdom
Not all of us have large audiences, but each of us has a circle of influence. Whether we reach 50 people or 50,000, our digital voice can witness to truth and goodness. Pope Pius XI, when establishing the Feast of Christ the King, reminded us that Christ’s reign is one of charity and peace.
Every word we share, a Scripture verse, a message of mercy, a gesture of encouragement, can plant seeds of the Kingdom. Imagine a digital landscape where every Catholic saw themselves as a micro-influencer for Christ: witnesses of kindness, patience, and truth in a world that often forgets them.
4. Turning Praise Into Gratitude
When we receive praise or attention online, how do we respond? Christ never sought glory for Himself but directed all honour to His Father. Likewise, when we receive affirmation, we can turn it into thanksgiving.
Instead of letting compliments inflate our egos, we can quietly pray: “Thank You, Lord, for allowing me to serve.” Every good we do is grace in action. Redirecting praise to God keeps our hearts centered on the true source of our worth.
5. Advocating for Justice and Mercy
Christ’s Kingdom is one of justice, mercy, and peace. In an often-hostile digital world, we are called to be voices of compassion. Social media can amplify division, but it can also amplify truth and solidarity.
We can use our platforms to advocate for justice, defend human dignity, and raise awareness for the poor, the voiceless, and the suffering. Each post or share becomes an act of witness. By standing for truth and mercy online, we proclaim a Kingdom not of this world, a Kingdom ruled by love.
Living the Kingdom Online
Christ reigns not by demanding obedience, but by inviting hearts into His love. His crown was of thorns, not gold; His throne was the cross, not a seat of earthly power.
When we live out agape, that self-giving love, in our online interactions, every comment, post, and reply becomes a reflection of the Kingdom. Each act of kindness, patience, or humility in the digital world is a quiet proclamation that Christ still reigns in human hearts.
Imagine if our digital spaces, so often marked by comparison and pride, became sanctuaries of grace, compassion, and truth. What if every click and comment became an act of worship? What if we used technology not to exalt ourselves, but to lift others toward God?
Christ the King calls us to this very mission, to make His love visible in the ordinary corners of our lives, even behind a screen.
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)
May our lives, both online and offline, echo the humility of the Servant King.
May our words bring light where there is division, and love where there is noise.
And may every digital action, no matter how small, point others to the One whose Kingdom will never end.
