Christ the King
This weekend we celebrate the last Sunday of ordinary time which is also called the feast of Christ the King. The Feast of Christ the King was established by Pope Pius XI in 1925 as an antidote to secularism, that is a way of life which leaves God out of man’s thinking and living life as if God did not exist. In the First Reading The tribes of Israel came to David in Hebron, recognizing his leadership. They made an agreement before the Lord, and David was anointed king of Israel. In the Second Reading we hear Let us thank the Father for rescuing us and bringing us into the kingdom of his Son, Jesus, who is the image of God and the head of the church.
In Our Gospel reading for this Sunday Rulers and soldiers mocked Jesus on the cross, challenging him to save himself. One criminal joined in, but the other defended Jesus and asked to be remembered in his kingdom. Jesus promised him a place in Paradise. The Gospel reading reminds us that Jesus rules with love, even from the cross. The Good Thief didn’t have fancy words, just honest prayer. Jesus answered with a promise of heaven. it’s never too late to choose faith, and Jesus is always ready to listen. How do we work to make Jesus and the kingdom of God known is the question to ask ourselves today. The way to serve Christ our King is to work for the coming of his kingdom. We do this through working for the relief of the deprived, the oppressed and the outcast. By doing that we are serving Christ in person, because he fully identifies himself with all those in need. The disciple of Christ the King cannot afford the luxury of saying “I keep myself to myself” or “I do nobody any harm.” To be deaf to the cries of the oppressed is to be deaf to Christ. To be blind to the agony of those around us is to be blind to Christ. To take Christ as our King involves becoming a shepherd to others making Christ present to others and reaching out showing the faith to them and leading them into the paths of faith.
The kingdom of Christ, a reign of charity and peace, is for all. The Lord sends us out as his disciples so that all mankind may be brought under his reign in the world. We remember that The Kingdom of God exists in every home where parents and children love each other. It exists in every region and country that cares for its weak and vulnerable. It exists in every parish that reaches out to the needy. The Kingdom of God happens whenever someone feeds a hungry person, or shelters a homeless person, or shows care to a neglected person. It happens whenever we overturn an unjust law, or correct an injustice, or avert a war.
We the baptized are the agents through whom the kingship of Christ will be realized. Our baptism is our commission and our grace for the apostolate. As we conclude the liturgical year, are you with Christ and what he teaches us? Is your life an open sacrifice in a demonstration of love? As we begin Advent next week lets not forget the beautiful truths that we have learned, but let’s continue to learn more about them, celebrate them, live them, and pass them on. The Solemnity of Christ the King reminds us that Jesus is the true King. His rule is not about power or wealth. It is about love, mercy, and peace. He leads us by giving His life for us. This feast helps us see what kingship means in God’s eyes. As we remember that Jesus is the servant King who came to serve and gave his life on the Cross as a ransom for many. Everything belongs to Him. Yet He chooses to care for us as a shepherd cares for his sheep.
This Sunday we are invited to deeper discipleship, marked by generous service and unwavering hope. As we move into Advent with its spiritual preparation for Christmas let us respond with open hearts and generous spirits with a renewed commitment to serve others, as we walk with Christ our King, making His kingdom present wherever we are.
Fullerton T 