SOLEMNITY OF CHRIST, THE KING OF THE UNIVERSE, YEAR C

2 Samuel 5:1-3

Psalm 122

Colossians 1:12-20

Luke 23:35-43

JESUS CHRIST IS KING INDEED

We celebrate today the solemnity of Christ, the King of the Universe, a solemnity that concludes the liturgical year. In effect, the readings present us two images apparently contrasting of Jesus’ kingship. Saint Paul’s hymn, in the second reading, celebrates the preeminence of Christ Jesus and his Lordship over all creation. Thus, Jesus is King and everything is subjected to him. On the other hand, the gospel presents us Jesus rejected, mocked, ridiculed and crucified. 

This is to tell us that we cannot celebrate the kingship of Jesus Christ without looking to the cross. In fact, the gospel reading shows Jesus exercising his power as King from the cross. In answer to the prayer of the other criminal, Jesus declares: “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise”. As such, we see what Saint Paul’s words mean when he says that God “transferred us to the kingdom of his Beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins”. Indeed, Jesus’ power is precisely in his ability to lay down his life for the sake of mankind.

It is therefore undoubtedly obvious that Jesus is King, but not the kind of king we might have imagined or expected. Humanly speaking, we tend to associate kings with power and prestige, nobility and great wealth. The kings of this world are surrounded by people they command and all are their subjects. Often, self interests and egoistic ambitions motivate their rule and decisions. But Jesus is not such a king. He is the King who lays down his life for all. He does not have subjects but friends. 

So, it is important to allow Jesus to reign in our lives at the example of the tribes of Israel. They recognized their need of a king, a king who could protect and lead them in war against their enemies. Consequently, the elders anointed David as their king in Hebron. May we too recognize our need of Jesus as King and Lord of our lives. May our world leaders recognize the kingship of Jesus and take him as their model so that our world may be a kingdom of truth and life, a kingdom of holiness and grace, a kingdom of justice, love and peace. Amen

Happy Feast to you.