This weekend we observe the Solemnity of Christ, the King. The celebration was first proclaimed universally as a feast in 1925 by Pope Pius IX. In 2015, the prescribed date was moved from October to the last Sunday in the church year and the commemoration was raised to a solemnity. At that time Pope Francis added a phrase to the title of the day: “Christ the King, the living face of the Father’s mercy.”
As the liturgical year draws to a close, we consider how Jesus is more than just a king. He is the King, the King of the Universe. We celebrate a ruler who, in mercy, was willing to die for us to give us true freedom. Jesus willingly exchanged the trappings of a king for a place among the poorest of the poor. In place of a red carpet, he’d had a rude stable floor strewn with hay. Later in his life, it was palm branches that lined the way beneath a donkey’s feet. His crown was not one of gems but a crown of thorns. His choice of transportation was usually on foot. In speaking of his home, Jesus said: “Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”
Some may wonder why we read a scene from the passion today. How does that help us understand what Jesus’ kingship means? We may always sense a vague uneasiness in calling Jesus “king” partly due to the changing attitudes toward kings throughout history. Today, distrust of authority is rampant – accelerated by the rise in belief that the only authority is the individual self. The idea of Christ as ruler, as king, is resisted by many who believe that such titles are borrowed from oppressive systems of government. History proves that some kings have been oppressive. But when we allow this type of thinking to overtake us, we miss the point that Christ’s kingship is one of humility and service. In contrast to the oppression so prevalent in Jesus’ day, he saw his role as king as one of humble service. He teaches us, his followers, to be servants as well. This is the behavior we must imitate. Benedict teaches “Anticipate the needs of others and put them before our own; anticipating others’ in doing good works.”
This leads us to ponder: How is it that Jesus can be, at the same time, both Suffering Servant and King? That’s the very question that Jesus turns back on Pilate: “Do you ask this (are you a king?) on your own? Or have others told you about me?” It pushes us to question ourselves: Is Jesus my King? Do I know him on my own, from my own experiences? Or is my relationship with Jesus based on borrowed thoughts from books I’ve read; homilies and retreat talks? Do I sing with conviction the sentiments of the kingly hymns that spring to mind: “Come, Christians, Join to Sing”, “Rejoice, the Lord Is King”, “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name”, “Hail, Redeemer, King Divine”, “The King of Glory”, “At the Lamb’s High Feast, We Sing”? And, let’s not overlook the triumphant echoing of a favorite Christmas carol: “Joy to the World! Let earth receive her king!”
At the other end of this week, we will be “jump-started” into the Season of Advent: an experience of an “ending” that is a “beginning” – a time of waiting for the One who will come. The One who is promised to us is foretold in the Book of Revelation: “Behold, he is coming and everyone will see him; the Alpha and the Omega, the one who is and who was and who is to come.” He is the one who is acclaimed in Paul’s letter to the Colossians: “He is before all things, and in him all things are held together; in him all the fullness is pleased to dwell!”
~by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
First Reading 2 Samuel 5:1-3
Second Reading Colossians 1:12-20
Gospel Reading Luke 23:35-43
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