Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
(Ref. Jn. 18:33-37) b.k. Nov. 23/24, 2024 Viva Cristo Rei !
On the popular TV comedy show, “Whose line is it Anyway?” they perform a hilarious skit called, “Questions Only” whereby two comedians converse using only questions. In a household it might go something like this: What’s for dinner? Are you hungry? What time is it? Is it time to be hungry? Are we having leftovers? Why do you ask?, etcetera… The conversation goes nowhere. Each person is vying to be heard and understood. Each one’s point of view is all that matters. They’re just not on the same wavelength.
This dialogue reminds me of our Gospel reading. Pontius Pilate and Jesus ask questions trying to exchange information and explain their own point of view. As we hear, the conversation is stalled with ulterior motives each want to get across to the other. Jesus speaks on a divine wavelength while Pilate speaks on a human wavelength.
From St. John’s Gospel, Pilate asks, “Are you the King of the Jews?” - perhaps a prophetic Freudian slip. Pilate sought to incriminate Jesus with his own words, by his defying the authority of Roman rule. Pilate could not perceive Jesus’ alleged fanciful
kingdom that was not of this world, and didn’t care as long as it wasn’t a threat to Rome. Jesus is indeed the King of the Jews, and of Pilate, and of all creation in heaven and on earth for all eternity.
And what does it mean to be “king”? A king is a sovereign ruler, the head monarch of a people or nation, or in Jesus’ case, the whole Universe. A righteous king reigns with authority, but he is also God-fearing, a servant of his subjects, a shepherd to reign with mercy, compassion, justice, and love. These are the qualities of Jesus Christ, our true King, our loving and just God. It is a tenet of our faith that Jesus Christ was given to man, not only as our Redeemer, but also as our King, to whom worship and obedience is due.
A Solemnity is a feast day of highest ranking, celebrating a mystery of faith. On this Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, we call to mind the truth of God’s Kingdom. Jesus said, “… I came into the world to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” In the very next verse Pilate asks, “What is truth?” He should have properly asked, not “what”, but “who” is truth. Jesus silently stands before Pilate, manifesting before him the eternal living truth come down from his Kingdom in heaven. He willingly surrenders his life to this ruthless dictator who was put on trial himself to uphold the justice of Rome. Justice was indeed accomplished through the redemptive passion, death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Thanks be to God.
The Solemnity of Christ the King is not just the conclusion of the Church year, it is also a summary of our lives as Christians. We are called to a Christian life of faith, hope, and love while announcing the Kingdom through the Gospel of Christ. As a matter of daily self-reflection, how well do we make the Kingdom come alive?
As the People of God, subjects of his Kingdom, we strive for obedience to Christ’s precepts to live a life of holiness. Our Solemnity celebration serves as a reminder of the unique Kingdom our Lord has established; not a kingdom of this world, temporal and imperfect, but an everlasting dominion in royal splendor that we may, by the grace of God, one day enter into. As his Church, we are made into a kingdom when we proclaim Jesus our true Almighty God and King.
On this great Solemnity, let us resolve to give Christ a central place in our lives through reception of the Holy Eucharist here today and worship his true presence at Adoration. May we obey His commandment of love by sharing our blessings with the least of our brothers and sisters, who are indeed coheirs in the Kingdom and in whom Christ lives and reigns as King. Ask yourself, “How, from my baptism, in my role as Priest, Prophet, and King, can I make my life a gift of charity for others in need?”
Instead of ambiguous “Questions Only” conversation, may we pray for the grace of simple and humble devotion. That we may give adoration, contrition, thanksgiving, and supplication to our King as we seek to listen, understand, and fulfill his divine will and usher in his Kingdom in our lives.
Let us sing praise together to our Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God and King of the Universe:
You’re the one we call the true Almighty God. (x 4)
For the glory of God, Viva Cristo Rei ! “Long live Christ the King”