Solemnity of Christ the King
Dn7:13-14; Rev1:5-8; Jn 18:33b-37
The Solemnity of Christ the King, commonly referred to as the feast of Jesus Christ, the king of the Universe was instituted by Pope Pius XI in 1925 and observed on the last Sunday of the liturgical year. Christ had long been referred to as King. But at the end of the First World War, while secularism was on the rise and dangerous dictatorships were emerging in Europe and beyond, Pope could see the respect and reverence for Christ’s authority waning. In response, he set the feast with the intent to reaffirm and refocus faith and respect in the Kingship of Jesus. Pope Pius XI felt that the Church has the right to freedom, and immunity from the state. Secondly that leaders and nations would see that they are bound to give respect to Christ. Finally that the faithful would gain strength and courage from the celebration, as we are reminded that Christ must reign in our hearts, minds, Wills and bodies.

Christ’s kingship is one of humility and service. That is why in Mk 10:42-45 Jesus said: You know that gentile rulers lord it over their people….But it shall not be among you. Rather, whoever wishes to become great among you will be your servant……… for the son of man did not come to be served but to serve, and give his life as ransom for many.
Today’s second reading from Revelation 1:5-8 presents Jesus as King of love. He proves his love by dying on the cross to free us from sin. Through his love he has revealed to us God the Father. He also did reveal God’s plans for us and He himself as a faithful witness set an example of following God’s Will by going to the extent of dying on the cross. Out of his love for us he established a kingdom of priests. In this kingdom, He has made us persons dedicated to the service of God his Father.

The Gospel (Jn 18:33-37) speaks of a strange confrontation between Pilate, a man who feels as the chief authority of a colonial regime and Jesus, a travelling preacher who seems to have none. Pilate asks Jesus if he is the king of Jews. Jesus in reply asks Pilate whether it is a honest question or a question that arises out of rumors that he had heard. Jesus explains to Pilate that His kingdom is Spiritual. Pilate was filled with wrong idea that the kingdom can only be political not otherwise. Even though Jesus did not explicitly respond to him by saying that He was a King, He did speak clearly about his kingdom and kingship and He told him that His kingdom was not from this world. This kingdom which Jesus explained was based on justice and truth which Pilate failed to understand. Jesus rules not by power but by truth and His truth is the full revelation of the Father. The kingdom of Jesus is defined by his place of origin. He is not from this world and He comes from the father and therefore He is the king of God’s kingdom.
As we see in the Gospel Pilate worshiped money, power and authority and condemned the truth. Because, he clung so much on to the perishable earthly kingdom and its pleasures and failed to understand the everlasting spiritual Kingdom that Christ established. We also struggle with so many kingdoms and kings in our lives. For some money and power could be their kings. For others name and fame could be their kings. But we need to keep in mind that these kingdoms and kings are established by this perishable world.

Therefore, as we celebrate this great feast of Christ the King it is an invitation for all of us to ask ourselves which kingdom I belong to. And who is my king? Do I really belong to the Kingdom that Christ established? Or do I belong to the kingdom that the world established? Is Christ really my King? Or are the worldly powers and pleasures my kings?