Christ the King
2 Samuel 5:1–3
Psalm 122:1–2, 3–4, 4–5
Colossians 1:12–20
Luke 23:35–43
The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, commonly known as “Christ the King” has been placed in the liturgical calendar as the last Sunday of Ordinary Time. This was one of the revisions to the calendar made after the Second Vatican Council. With this feast, we end the year looking toward the fullness of time, when all that God has planned for our earthly journey is accomplished.
A title for God present in Jewish tradition is “Melech HaOlam,” which is translated “King of the Universe.” It is often included as the form of address to God in Hebrew blessings. We find it echoed in the Mass in the prayers of preparation of the gifts before the Eucharistic Prayer. It serves as an acknowledgement that God is the source of all that is, all creation and all that happens in time. Such a title is an invitation to us to commit all that we are to Jesus as Lord and as the One Who holds the key to human destiny.
The readings for the solemnity call to mind two distinct aspects of the kingship of Jesus. He is the son of David, and He is the “King of the Jews” Whose kingdom is paradise.
The Second Book of Samuel offers the account of David’s rise to the kingship over all the tribes of Israel. After the wars and struggles that led to this moment, there is a sense that destiny was being fulfilled as all the tribes acknowledge David a “bone of their bone and flesh of their flesh” as they invited him to accept the crown at Hebron.
“When all the elders of Israel came to David in Hebron, King David made an agreement with them there before the Lord, and they anointed him king of Israel.” From that time on, Israel would have a destiny among the nations, with the kingship of David as a hallmark.
Luke’s account of the crucifixion highlights one of Jesus’ “last words” as a word of compassion to the one known as “the good thief.” The exchange between the thief and the suffering King Whose Kingdom is acknowledged are all the more poignant because they are among the final words breathed by either of them.
“Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ He replied to him, ‘Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.’”
The end of Jesus’ earthly journey is marked by mercy. The battles are over, and salvation awaits. The full revelation of the kingdom at the end of time is anticipated. As the Church calendar closes, the promise and hope of the kingdom for all and the offer of mercy to any open to receive it are emphasized. The conquering Lord and King of all is the merciful savior.
We are invited to recognize our Lord and King as “bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh.” At the same time, we are reminded that He is King of Mercy, offering redemption through all of time, even to our last breath.
Paul says to the Colossians: “Let us give thanks to the Father, who has made you fit to share in the inheritance of the holy ones in light. He delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
He is truly the Lord. “For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile all things for him, making peace by the blood of his cross through him, whether those on earth or those in heaven.”
We are invited by the psalmist to set our sights on God’s dwelling: “Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.”
As one year ends and a new one begins, we keep our eyes fixed on the Lord, pleading for His help and putting our confidence in His power to accomplish all that He has promised.