Jesus’ reign is truly not of this world (John 18:36). For the grandeur of his kingdom is not power as defined by this world but the love of God, a love capable of encountering and healing all things. Christ humbled himself to us out of this love. He lived our human misery; he suffered the lowest point of our human condition: injustice, betrayal, abandonment. He experienced death, the tomb, and hell.
Our King went to the ends of the universe to embrace and save every living being. He did not condemn us, nor did he conquer us, and he never disregarded our freedom. Instead, he paved the way with a humble love that forgives all things, hopes all things, and sustains all things (1 Corinthians 13:7). This love alone overcame and continues to overcome our worst enemies: sin, death, and fear.
—Excerpted from On Love by Pope Francis