King

34th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year B; Christ the King (25 November 2018)

Daniel 7:13-14. Psalm 93:1-2, 5. Revelation 1:5-8. John 18:33-37.

“My kingdom is not of this kind.”

Today the church year draws to a close with a gospel scene from the Passion Narrative according to St John. Jesus stands on trial before Pilate accused of being a king. With death staring him in the face his reply is crystal clear. He admits to being a king, but not in a recognizable worldly manner of kingship, as his horizons are not limited to earthly life. Christ is a spiritual leader who rules by truth and love. He is out to touch the hearts and minds of all people and claim their souls for God. His mission on earth is to unfold a vision of this new world, to announce the Good News that God counts us as family, regards us as His children and in return seeks our allegiance.

The feast of Christ the King is a relatively new feast. It was established by Pope Pius XI in 1925 through an encyclical letter called "Quas Primas" (In the First). It is interesting to note that this new kingly feast coincided with the fall of monarchies—the rule of the kings. Honouring Christ under the title of king seemed oddly out of tune with the times. Nationalism was the dominant ideology of the period. People were encouraged to give their allegiance to a flag, the symbol of the new nation-state, and no more to a person. It is strangely interesting that we started celebrating a feast of a king, when all the talk was about democracy: practically it was death to kings.

It is also strange that we are able to understand God as king. The only kings (and queens)—for most us—are those that we meet on our books or a pack of cards. Our history books and story books present kings as those unconcerned with daily, ordinary lives; at least most of them appear to be so. Kings are usually ruthless persons associated with bloodshed and violence, and even injustice. A compassionate and kind king was an exception rather than the norm.

So the celebration of our God and Christ as King has no continuities with the legacy of human (but not humane) kings. It's a break from the tradition! As Jesus says in today's gospel, “My kingdom is not of this kind.” Here is a king who defines and determines his kingdom through non-violence and vulnerability. There is no force of law, but only love. No force, only freedom. His peace is not as the world gives, but that is born out of love and freedom.

Let us today celebrate our relationship and loyalty to this person who keeps us in existence, who gives us life and love. Let us allow Him to rule our hearts, our families, our worlds, and (in and through us) the whole universe.