Readings: Daniel 7:13-14, Ps. 93:1-2,5, Apocalypse 1:5-8, John 18:33-37
“Pilate asked him, ‘So you are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘... For this, I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.’” (John 18:37)
Today is the last Sunday of this liturgical year. Today, we celebrate the solemnity of Christ, the King of the Universe. All our celebrations of Christ from his birth, through his preaching, passion, death, and resurrection, culminate in today’s celebration: Jesus Christ is the King of the Universe. Let us now reflect on some lessons contained in today’s readings:
1. Jesus Christ, A King Like No Other
When we say Jesus is a king, we tend to compare him with other earthly kings. This is because the human mind comprehends facts through comparison. However, when it comes to Christ’s kingship, we cannot compare it with anything. Jesus did not deny His kingship when Pilate asked. Indeed, Pilate was terrified of Jesus. Jesus said, “My kingdom is not from this world.”
In other words, Jesus’ power and authority do not come from this world. No earthly power can overthrow Jesus. In today’s first reading, Daniel declared: “To him was given dominion and glory and kingship, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not pass away, and his kingship shall never be destroyed.” (Daniel 7:14). The dominion of Jesus can never pass away, and no one can destroy His kingdom. As we hear in today’s second reading, Jesus is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.
St. Paul shed light on Jesus’ dominion when he said: “At the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:10-11). Every knee bows before Jesus because He is King. There is no door that the name of Jesus cannot open. No authority can challenge Jesus.
2. Why is Jesus’s Kingship Superior to Other Kings?
The superiority of Jesus’ kingship is that it does not depend on human beings. All earthly kings are powerful because their subjects submit to their authority; their power lies with the people. Whenever the people come together and agree that they do not want a king to reign over them, that is the end of that king. However, even if everyone decides not to worship Jesus Christ, He reigns forever. As Jesus said: “If we humans decide not to praise Him, even the stones will sing His praises.” (cf. Luke 19:40). Jesus is King whether or not we acknowledge it. Jesus does not need us to be king. He reigns forever and ever.
However, if we decide not to worship Jesus Christ as our king, we will answer for it on the Last Day. Anyone who decides to ignore Christ does so to their detriment. This is the message in today’s second reading: “Look! He is coming with the clouds; every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and on his account, all the tribes of the earth will wail.” (Revelation 1:7).
The sad tale of our faith is that we call Christ a king, yet we do not allow Christ to reign in our lives, places of work, dressing, homes, conversations, and hearts. Every year, we join the procession to worship Christ as our king publicly, but the moment we get home, that becomes the end of Christ’s kingship for us. Sin, evil, and the quest for material things begin to reign strongly in our lives. Today, Christ will ask us: “Are you singing, dancing, clapping hands, kneeling, bowing, and jumping up and down because I am your king or others have said so?”
3. Jesus is King Yesterday, Today and Forever
In today’s Second Reading, Jesus revealed: “I am the Alpha and the Omega… who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation 1:8). However, some of us behave as if Christ’s kingship is only a yearly event. On a day like this, we are ready to sing and dance like David, who almost danced naked before the tabernacle (Cf. 2 Samuel 6:14-19). However, starting next Sunday, we forget that the same Jesus carried in the monstrance by the priest from street to street today is the same Jesus we ignore daily in the Blessed Sacrament. How often do we walk past a chapel without going in to adore and worship Jesus?
On the other hand, if we truly believe that Jesus is our king, why do we find it difficult to allow Jesus to reign in our lives? Is there even a picture of Jesus in our sitting room? Does Christ reign in your bedroom? What about your smartphone and your office/business environment? Does Christ come first in your dealings with people? Do I treat my body like the palace of Christ? How pure are my thoughts? Am I truthful, or do I tell lies like the devil, the father of liars? Jesus told Pilate, “Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” (John 18:37). We cannot serve two masters.
Every day, I receive Holy Communion, sometimes even without proper preparation. I receive even when I know I am guilty of mortal sins. I receive it because I do not want to look bad before others. Do I even treat the Holy Communion like the body of a King? Not to mention the body of the King of Kings? We clean up our homes when important visitors come around. We try to look good before rich people. What about Jesus, the richest King in the world? Jesus is King; yesterday, today and forever. Treat Jesus as King. Fear Him; it is the beginning of wisdom!
4. Love: The Ultimate Symbol of Jesus’ Kingship
Jesus said to Pilate: “If my kingship were of this world, my servants would fight, that I might not be handed over to the Jews.” Jesus is king, but he refused to send down a battalion of angels to fight against those who arrested, scourged and crucified Him. He refused to use his power for evil even when he was provoked. On the cross, Jesus said: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34).
When we refuse to love our neighbours as ourselves, are we still part of Christ’s kingdom? When we go about with hatred and bitterness in our hearts and are ready to crush those who fight against us, are we still acknowledging Christ as our king? Why do we find it difficult to love others like Christ did sacrificially? Be kind to the poor and needy around you. Whenever you help others, consider your help a tribute to Jesus Christ, your King.
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, King of kings and Lord of lords, we worship you now and forever. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Christ the King - Solemnity Liturgical Colour: White. Bible Study: Daniel 7:13-14, Ps. 93:1-2,5, Apocalypse 1:5-8, John 18:33-37).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu