Christ the King

Kings have been in existence for centuries. Their responsibility is to take care of their subjects. This is what Jesus indicated to Pilate but Pilate did not understand the kingdom of Jesus. Pilate could not see how Jesus could live and die for his people. Jesus was not the King who forced his subjects to accept him neither did Jesus instil fear in people. 

The Solemnity of Christ the King is ultimately about power and surrender.  When we clutch safety and predictability, when we cling to what we already know and resist healthy change, then we are, in effect, attempting to rule our own lives. When we meticulously plot our future, leaving nothing to chance, then we are in danger of becoming our own gods. Only by opening ourselves to the life Jesus offers us do we acknowledge our own powerlessness.

On the contrary, when we allow ourselves to “be ruled”, when we make ourselves available to God’s love, when we say, “Here I am” in response to God’s call, then fullness is ours. Through surrender, we find ourselves held tightly in God’s healing embrace. Through surrender, we find peace for our restless hearts and joy in place of darkness. And through surrender, we learn to extend ourselves in love to those who are needy because we have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

All of us will be called to account for what we have done and what we have failed to do.  This will be a moment of great hope and revelation, for the King who knows our hearts will show us who we really are. Earthly kings might have a hard time distinguishing the righteous from the unrighteous, but the Son of Man sees the truth where human beings are perplexed: “Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty, a stranger or naked, sick or in prison, and did not come to your help?”

The King will deliver a true judgment, separating us based on who we are even more than what we do.  Now is a good time to ask ourselves: what are we becoming on this side of eternity? Are we people who respond to the needs of the least or do we look away?

Followers of Jesus the King will do God’s will.

Sometimes, we think of a king as one who is aloof and has little concern for our day-to- day struggles and as one who just gives commands. This is not so with Christ, our King.  Many times we have received strength and comfort when we needed them, peace and protection when we asked for them.  Today and every day let us remember Christ as the loving Saviour and King who cares for us and wants us to be to be a part of His kingdom.

When we choose Christ as our King we choose freedom and we will live eternally with Him in heaven. – Ruby Nelson, Archdiocesan Catechetical Office