November 21, Sunday

Solemnity of Christ the King 

A King Unlike Any Other

Kings stand for power, riches, splendor. On today’s feast of Christ the King what kind of king is shown us? A man wearing a crown of thorns, in a purple mantle to mock him as a fake king, and standing as an accused criminal before Pilate who represents the world’s power. Where is true power to be found? It is in the truth of the power of God’s love to which Jesus came to testify by going all the way of serving love. God loves us totally in his Son Jesus. This is why Jesus is our Lord and King.

 

First Reading: Daniel 7: 13-14

“I kept watching. The little horn was speaking arrogantly. Then, as I watched, the monster was killed and its body cremated in a roaring fire. The other animals lived on for a limited time, but they didn’t really do anything, had no power to rule. My dream continued.

 “I saw a human form, a son of man,
    arriving in a whirl of clouds.
He came to The Old One
    and was presented to him.
He was given power to rule—all the glory of royalty.
    Everyone—race, color, and creed—had to serve him.
His rule would be forever, never ending.
    His kingly rule would never be replaced.

 

Second Reading: Revelation 1:5-8

I, John, am writing this to the seven churches in Asia province: All the best to you from The God Who Is, The God Who Was, and The God About to Arrive, and from the Seven Spirits assembled before his throne, and from Jesus Christ—Loyal Witness, Firstborn from the dead, Ruler of all earthly kings.

Glory and strength to Christ, who loves us,
    who blood-washed our sins from our lives,
Who made us a Kingdom, Priests for his Father,
    forever—and yes, he’s on his way!
Riding the clouds, he’ll be seen by every eye,
    those who mocked and killed him will see him,
People from all nations and all times
    will tear their clothes in lament.
    Oh, Yes.

The Master declares, “I’m A to Z. I’m The God Who Is, The God Who Was, and The God About to Arrive. I’m the Sovereign-Strong.”

 

Gospel: John 18:33b-37

Pilate went back into the palace and called for Jesus. He said, “Are you the ‘King of the Jews’?”

Jesus answered, “Are you saying this on your own, or did others tell you this about me?”

Pilate said, “Do I look like a Jew? Your people and your high priests turned you over to me. What did you do?”

 “My kingdom,” said Jesus, “doesn’t consist of what you see around you. If it did, my followers would fight so that I wouldn’t be handed over to the Jews. But I’m not that kind of king, not the world’s kind of king.”

Then Pilate said, “So, are you a king or not?”

Jesus answered, “You tell me. Because I am King, I was born and entered the world so that I could witness to the truth. Everyone who cares for truth, who has any feeling for the truth, recognizes my voice.”

 

Prayer
God our Father,
when you wanted to show us
that you are the master of all
and the Lord of all people,
you sent us Jesus your Son
as the humble servant of your love,
who offered his life on the cross for all.
Give us enough faith to learn from him
that to serve is to reign,
and that to give our life to our brothers and sisters
is to find a joy and a happiness
that no one can take away from us.
We ask you this in the name of Christ,
our King and Lord for ever and ever.  Amen.

 

Reflection:

SOLEMNITY OF CHRIST THE KING

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.”

Video available on Youtube: SOLEMNITY OF CHRIST THE KING