Cycle C - Year II:  

20 November 2022: Solemnity of our Lord Jesus, King of the Universe 

(Liturgical Color: White)

Readings:

First Reading:        2 Samuel 5:1-3

Second Reading:   Colossians 1:12-20

Gospel:  Please Read  Luke 23:35-43 

The King who cares and serves!

The Solemnity of our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, or Christ the King, ends our current liturgical year, as we begin a new one next Sunday to usher in the Advent Season. This is a fitting celebration because Jesus is the Alpha and Omega of the whole of creation. That is to say, He is the beginning and the end of human history and of the created world, and through Him "all things were created and by whom the world is being restored to the Father."    

Trivia: The Feast of Christ the King was instituted by Pope Pius XI on December 11, 1925 as a way for human beings to proclaim a truth about God that indeed He is the King of kings and Lord of all creation. This Solemnity reminds us that while governments come and go, Christ reigns as King forever.

Our generation may have difficulty in understanding Christ as King. Because His own example of kingship is one who cares and serves. Throughout history, the concept of king who cares and serves is all but alien to humanity. Even our traditional concept of a leader is someone who rules over us, instead of the one serving the people.

The Gospel reading for this Sunday is of little help in trying to understand Christ as King. St. Luke presents to us Jesus as He was dying on the cross. So it is an unusual picture of a king, nailed on a wooden cross with a crown of thorns; He wore no royal robe but stripped to His loin clothes. How can He be a King in this way?

Our understanding of kings is usually associated with power and authority. In our own experience with political leaders, all too often what comes to mind when we talk  of power and authority is dominion over the weak, and worst, associated with deception, corruption and exploitation. 

This is not so with Jesus' kingship as we Christians believe. For He is King who exercises a totally different kind of power and leadership.

Let us reflect deeper on today's Gospel passage to know about Jesus' kingship.

It is clear that Jesus is not a king in the usual, earthly sense. He did not come to establish political or military power. He did not come to govern a country or raise an army.  His kingdom is different: "my kingdom is not of this world" (Jn 18:36). Christ's reign is of spiritual nature. 

 

How do we uncover the real dimension of Christ's kingship?  The Gospel account on Christ on the cross presents to us a glimpse into the mystery of our Lord's kingdom where His kingship is not through dominion but of service and love. On the cross before His last breath, Jesus forgave and saved a repentant thief, Dimas, who asked for His forgiveness and mercy. Jesus is a King who welcomes to His kingdom all those who need most of His mercy.

Let us conclude our reflection with the words of St. John Paul II from his homily in 1997 on the Feast of Christ the King:

"His was a shameful death, but it represents a confirmation of the Gospel proclamation of the kingdom of God. In the eyes of his enemies, that death should have been proof that all he had said and done was false: 'He is the king of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him' (Mt. 27:42) He did not come down from the cross, but like the Good Shepherd, he gave his life for his sheep. (Jn 10:11) The confirmation of his royal power, however, came a little later when on the third day he rose from the dead, revealing himself as 'the first-born' (Rv 1:5)"

Hail to our Lord Jesus Christ, the King of the universe, and our Servant-King!

A Blessed Solemnity of Christ the King to us all. And thank you for a moment with God.

Ad Jesum per Mariam!