The solemnity of our Lord Jesus Christ, king of the Universe

Today the Church celebrates the feast of Christ the King.

Nov 20, 2016

Today the Church celebrates the Feast of Christ the King.

Pope Pius XI instituted the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of The Universe in 1925. We celebrate this solemnity on the last Sunday of ordinary time.

To start our reflection, it might be wise to ask, “What are our common notions of a king?”

We all know that a king is the highest ruler of a kingdom. He wears a crown – symbolic of his majestic power to rule over his people. From his throne, he commands absolute obedience, and from his hands, rewards and punishments are dispensed. His subjects are expected to speak well of him, to praise him, to protect him, and to defend him at all cost. A king often lives in pomp and luxury. He resides in a palace backed up by enormous wealth and supported by a hierarchy of officials and servants.

In our gospel reading (Luke 23:35-43) Jesus is proclaimed as king, but ironically, in a different sense. What we see is not an image of a powerful king but of a crucified king. On his head is not a crown of gold but a crown of thorns. He does not rule from a throne but hangs on a cross, his hands and feet nailed to it. He rules not from a palace but from a hilly place called Calvary – poor, wounded, hungry, thirty, weak and in great pain. On his sides were not high-ranking court officials but thieves whose death sentences are similar to his. And instead of praise and adoration, what he hears are mockeries and insults, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One,” and “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself.”

The truth of the fact is that these rulers, soldiers and bystanders who witnessed this event did not know that in their midst was the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Part of the Second Reading tells us, “He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation; for in him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the first-born from the dead, that in everything he might be pre-eminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell” (Colossians 1:15-19).

Jesus, our King, humbled himself on the cross by taking on his body the penalty that is due us for our sins. By his wounds, he took our infirmities, sicknesses and diseases, that we may be healed. And by his blood he offers us forgiveness for our sins, reconciliation with God and eternal life in his kingdom. His kingdom is not of this world but of something far better than this world, where everything is in perfect peace, joy and love. “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has ever conceived what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9).

And how can we receive salvation---this greatest and most precious of all gifts? One of the criminals hanging on the cross at Jesus’ side showed us the way. He acknowledged his sins, the justice of his conviction, and his need for the sinless Jesus to save him. He said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. “Professing the same as sinners like him, may we also hear Jesus’ reply, “Truly, I say to you, today, you will be with me in Paradise.”

Hail, King Jesus, the Savior of the world! Alleluia.--sunstar