First Reading: Daniel 7: 13-14
Responsorial Psalm 93
Second Reading: Revelation 1: 5-8
Gospel: John 18: 33b-37
The solemnity of Christ the King which we celebrate today was instituted on December 11, 1925, by Pope Pius XI with the encyclical, “Quas Primas.” He instituted it in response to the growing atheistic and totalitarian political regimes around the world that denied the rights of God and the authority of the Church. The climate in which the feast was born was for example, the Mexican revolution between 1910 and 1920 when conservative Catholic Christians went to their deaths crying out to their last breath, “long live Christ the King.” While promulgating this solemnity, Pope Pius XI emphasized the sovereignty of Christ over all aspects of life, including politics and personal life. He argued that the chief cause of evil in the world; violence and the difficulties under which mankind was laboring is that majority of men had thrust Jesus Christ and His holy law out of their lives, and it has no place whether in private affairs or in politics. He argued that there will be no real hope of lasting peace among peoples and nations as long as individuals and states refuse to submit to the rule of Christ. This feast aims to proclaim the truth before all the nations of the world, that there is only one king of the Universe, and that king is Jesus Christ who is the king of kings and the Lord of the Universe to whom everyone should submit.
So, why does the Church on the feast of Christ the king, present us a moment in Jesus’ passion where he stands powerless before Pilate the Roman governor? Here, the paradox of Christ’s kingship is fully revealed. True kingship is not about power or dominion and self-interest but about service and sacrifice. Pilate asks Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus responds, “My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not here.” This profound response from Jesus acknowledges two things: the kingship of Christ and that His kingdom is not of this world. Unlike the kings of the world who rely on power and force, His kingdom is based on truth, justice and love. He exercises His kingship not by exerting power like the kings of this world but by showing mercy. He did not come into the world to conquer by force but to testify by His sacrifice to the truth, and everyone who belongs to the truth listens to his voice.
In the first reading from the Book of Daniel, the Son of Man is depicted as receiving dominion, glory and kingship; with all peoples, nations and languages serving Him. This prophecy was always understood as a prophecy about the Messiah who will redeem God’s people and inaugurate the kingdom of God. In the gospels Jesus often referred to Himself as the Son of Man. By applying this title to Himself, He reveals Himself as the one who fulfils the prophecy of Daniel. Jesus used this title to express His messianic identity and mission. The symbolism of the clouds of heaven indicates His heavenly origin. Unlike earthly kingdoms that apocalyptic writings depict as beasts rising from the sea, His kingdom has heavenly origin. Unlike the kingdoms of the earth that rise and fall, the dominion given to the Son of Man is everlasting and will never be destroyed. His dominion is an everlasting dominion.
The second reading from the Book of Revelation brings us the good news that we are part of His kingdom. It emphasizes that we have not only been redeemed by his sacrifice but also called to share in His royal priesthood – He has made us a kingdom of priests. In this passage, we see both the eternal nature of His kingship and His sovereignty. He said He is the “Alpha and the Omega,” that is the beginning and the end. This title expresses the truth that all history is under his dominion, his reign will have no end, and all power belongs to Him.
The Solemnity of Christ the King invites us, both as individuals and as community, to reflect on how we live out our allegiance to Christ the King. Jesus wants to reign in our hearts, and in our world. He also wants us to witness to His kingship by allowing His rule to inform the choices that we make and to prioritizing the values of His kingdom: the values of love, justice, mercy and humble service.
Happy Feast of Christ the King,
Fr Chidi Onwuka, m.ss.cc