Coffee With God

Reflection: John 18:33-37

The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, is the crown of the liturgical year. Jesus began his public life proclaiming that “the kingdom of God has come”, “the kingdom of God is here.” The expression “the kingdom of God” and “the kingdom of heaven” appears 104 times in the Gospels. In the bible, the God of Israel is often spoken of as the God who reigns, the God who will create a new world in which justice and peace will reign forever. Pope Pius XI instituted the feast of Christ the King in 1925. The first World War had created bitterness among nations and many powerful countries around the world were trying to establish their supremacy over the rest. The Fascist regime in Italy was gaining grounds and Russia was under the rule of Stalin. Nazism was emerging in Germany; Spain and Portugal were falling into the hands of the absolute powers. In the midst of growing uncertainties, Pope Pius XI wanted to reassure the faithful and the World that history belonged to Christ and not to any other self-proclaimed powers of this world. Christ’s kingdom has a different origin from those of this world. From this world come the kingdoms that are guided by the impulse to compete, fight, trying to dominate others, and subdue those who are weaker. They are the kingdoms of the beasts that devour and destroy the weak; the kingdoms of the multinationals, that control the exploitation of the poor, trafficking of persons, and that manage the world finances. One of the three temptations that Jesus encountered in the wilderness was to start a similar kingdom, based on these worldly principles. The evil one had said to him: “All these I shall give to you if you will prostrate yourself and worship me.” And Jesus rejected this kingship. Jesus has nothing to do with this royalty. Care should be taken when we try to apply the image of a king to Jesus. Christ the King wants to establish in the world His Kingdom of love, justice, and peace. History teaches us that kingdoms founded on the powers of arms and lies are fragile and, sooner or later, collapse; but the Kingdom of God is founded on love and is rooted in hearts, conferring on one who receives it peace, freedom, and fullness of life. We all want peace, freedom and fullness. And how does it come about? Let the love of Christ the King, his mercy and forgiveness take root in our hearts. Christ the King can give new meaning to our life, which is ravaged by our mistakes and our sins, provided we do not follow the logic of the world and of its “kings.”