Kingmakers

“It is better to be a kingmaker than king” is one of my dad’s favorite sayings. There is a lot of wisdom in that statement if we can understand what my dad means by being a “kingmaker.” He doesn’t use the terms in the traditional sense meaning someone who is owed something for helping someone rise to power. His definition of “kingmaker” is a trusted servant of the king who aids and supports the king’s mission and message. His proximity and special relationship with the king stem ultimately because of his strong belief in the causes of the king. Because of the special closeness that this “kingmaker” shares with the king, he can use the authority granted to him by the king to advance the causes of the kingdom. The “kingmaker” as a loyal servant and aid, does not seek to increase his own renown, rather, he speaks on behalf of the king to further advance the king’s mission and plan for the kingdom. Because of this the king alone receives the praise and can shield his “kingmaker” from any criticism resulting from the implementation of the mission and vision for the kingdom.

Meanwhile, the perks of being a kingmaker are pretty darn good. You get a room in his gigantic palace, get to eat the same great meals, and use the swimming pool. All of these benefits are contingent upon remaining in loyal service to the king and your performance is evaluated solely by the king. While you may be associated with the king and his popularity or lack thereof, you don’t have to answer to the court of public opinion nor do you have to worry about what they think about you. You are the king's most trusted servant, and no one else but the king has the authority to kick you out to the curb. So if you are a humble, obedient, loyal, and trustworthy servant of the king you’ve got very little to worry about.

Catholic Christians are kingmakers. By our baptism we share in Christ’s kingship, we are invited to eat at the Eucharistic Banquet and share in the abundant life. Jesus in the parable of the Prodigal Son reminds His loyal and faithful child, “My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours (Luke 15:31).” So if Christ is King, why isn’t the world recognizing Him as such? It’s because He doesn’t have enough kingmakers. We, like that faithful child, have forgotten one minor detail – to announce Christ as the King of our lives and world.

The majority of us Catholic Christians have stopped doing our job as kingmakers; and when we forget to be kingmakers, we also forget about the great generosity of the king. Actually, it sounds too simplistic to be true, but if we announce, listen to and support the Good King’s love and plan for us, the masses will come to realize that Christ is King. As a result, many of the problems the kingdom has wouldn’t exist. To end the injustices of abortion and the death penalty, be a kingmaker for Christ and these will disappear from our society. To halt racism, drug trafficking, and prostitution, be a kingmaker for Christ and these issues would be eradicated. To feed the hungry and clothe the naked, be a kingmaker for Christ and those issues too will no longer plague our society.

Sure, the world will talk behind our backs, persecute us, judge us nine ways to Sunday and criticize us for associating ourselves with Christ the King, but none of that matters because we don’t answer to the world. We are His most trusted servants and we only answer to Jesus Christ the King. He and He alone holds the authority and power to banish us from the kingdom. It is because of our status as kingmakers that we have been granted to speak with the authority of the only True and Good King and it is also why we can accomplish so much good in the world.

Yes, we do have to compete with the other kingmakers, those who seek to elevate the “prince of this world (cf. John 12:31)” to the king, but their efforts are futile, for there can only be one king. It is Jesus Christ and He is not abdicating his throne. Ever. So then, let us be kingmakers; confident, loyal, and trusted servants of Christ the King as we announce the Gospel and anticipate the coming of His Kingdom.