The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

Today's Mass Readings

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. This Sunday opens the 34^th and last week of the Church’s liturgical year, presenting us each day with reflections on the second coming of Christ in glory.

In the gospel of today’s liturgy from St. John, Jesus, a gentle, poor man, who is obviously not a criminal, stands before Pontius Pilate, interrogated concerning the nature of his Kingship. It is a totally ironic scene. A worldly Roman governor questions “Jesus Christ…ruler of the kings of the earth” (Rev 1:5, second reading). Pilot cross-examines the very one from whom his own power as ruler is derived. “You would have no power over me if it had not been given to you from above” (Jn 19:11). Rather than saying that Jesus stands before Pilate, it is more accurate to say that it is Pilate who stands before Jesus Christ who is the “Alpha and the Omega,…the one who is and who was and who is to come, the almighty” (Rev 1:8).

Jesus does not correspond to Pilate’s idea of a king. Christ’s rule is not one of grasping at worldly power but a rule of love. “…though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross” (Phil 2:6-8). This notion is further elaborated in our reading from Book of Revelation “To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood,…to him be glory and power for ever and eve.” (1:5-6).

Yes, it was out of love that Jesus accepted his Kingship. He did not rule from a majestic throne but reigned as High Priest from the beams of a cross. He did not wield power over others, but submitted to the control of men as a sacrificial lamb led to slaughter. Jesus did not create for himself an earthly empire but won for us the eternal Kingdom of Heaven. We are priests and a kingly people by reason of our baptism into Christ “who has made us into a kingdom, priests for his God and Father” (Rev 1:6). Let us then, follow in the footsteps of our King who was obedient to the Father’s will, humble, and self-sacrificial in the depth of his love for us.

Thought for today: Is my life ruled by Christ or is it governed by worldly concerns and powers?

Reflection by Br. Michael Marcotte, OSB