Christ the King - Solemnity 

Daniel 7:13-14

Psalm 92(93):1-2,5

Rev. 1:5-8

John 18:33-37

CHRIST IS THE KING OF THE UNIVERSE AND THE MASTER OF SOULS. HE IS BEFORE ALL THINGS AND IN HIM ALL THINGS HOLD TOGETHER. 

The Gospel reading for today is a fragment from the St. John Passion. While it may appear to be a minor detail typically overlooked on Good Friday, it has been selected for the Solemnity of Christ the King due to its relevance in addressing the nature of the kingdom represented by Our Lord Jesus Christ, who is recognized as King.

Historically, to the Jewish people, the kings of antiquity—such as David and Solomon—embodied both spiritual and temporal authority. They were tasked with defending the nation of Israel, both as a geographical entity and as a spiritual community. Thus, the Jewish perception of the Messiah included the expectation of a powerful leader from the House of David, who would initiate a period of political grandeur. Under Roman occupation, an important role attributed to the Messiah was the restoration of political autonomy and self-governance. King Herod served as a mere puppet under Roman influence, exercising only ceremonial power, while true authority resided in the Roman Empire. Consequently, Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem on a donkey, coupled with His lack of political ambition and military prowess, led the Jewish leaders to dismiss Him as the Messiah.

In contrast, the Romans governed a powerful European superstate, with Emperor Caesar at the helm. The Roman Empire was characterized by well-regulated laws and taxes, enforced by a hierarchically organized administration supported by a disciplined military apparatus. To Pontius Pilate, the Governor of Judaea, the concept of kingship equated to power. Initially, given Jesus' apparent lack of power, Pilate found it difficult to regard Him as a king or to attribute any claim to a kingdom. In Pilate’s eyes, Jesus appeared to be an eccentric without significance.

In the Gospel passage, Jesus stands before Pilate, having been delivered by the high priest. The religious leaders, seeking to secure Jesus' execution by the Romans, attempt to frame His claim to messiahship as a political threat. The responses Jesus provides to Pilate's inquiries are enigmatic. He refrains from identifying Himself explicitly as "King of the Jews," stating instead, "Mine is not a kingdom of this world." When Pilate asks, "So you are a king, then?" Jesus replies, "It is you who say it. Yes, I am a King. I was born for this, I came into the world for this: to bear witness to the truth; and all who are on the side of truth listen to my voice." Initially, the exchange may seem anticlimactic and disjointed; however, this is precisely the emphasis Saint John seeks to convey. The nature of Christ as King transcends any human conception of rulership.

The Preface for today's Mass articulates the qualities of the kingdom over which Christ reigns. It states that God anointed Jesus Christ, His only Son, with the oil of gladness as the eternal priest and universal king. As a priest, He offered His life on the altar of the cross, redeeming humanity through this singular, perfect sacrifice of peace. As King, He claims dominion over all creation, aiming to present to God the Father an eternal and universal kingdom, characterized by truth and life, holiness and grace, justice, love, and peace.

The Kingdom of God is not constrained by geographical boundaries or political entities; however, it is perhaps best characterized by a singular currency: truth. This is the essential point Our Lord emphasizes before Pilate, even amidst the limited opportunity to articulate it. "I came into this world to bear witness to the truth." All other values—life, holiness, grace, justice, love, and peace—are rooted in the truth that is embedded in God.

God is the ultimate source of Truth; He embodies eternal Truth, the foundation upon which the entire universe rests. During the Paschal Vigil, the Church transitions from reflecting on the Passion of Our Lord to celebrating the glory of His Resurrection. The Easter Candle is marked with the Cross, accompanied by the symbols Alpha and Omega, along with the current year. The celebrant proclaims:

"Christ yesterday and today,  

the beginning and the end,  

Alpha and Omega;  

all-time belongs to Him, and all the ages;  

to Him be glory and power,  

through every age forever."

As we review the liturgical year, which concludes this week, we witness the eternal Word made flesh at the Nativity: He, through whom all creation came into being, lies in Our Lady's embrace. We observe His boundless compassion, profound teachings, and miraculous works. We acknowledge His Passion and Resurrection and recognize His commissioning of the Church and the gift of the Sacraments, culminating in His return to glory with the Father. The extent of His kingdom is limitless, and its glory is beyond description. We are authentic members of this kingdom through our Baptism, which serves as our Christian passport. However, the manifestation of this kingdom and the presence of Christ the King are tangible in our world. Wherever truth, holiness, grace, justice, love, and peace thrive, we can confidently assert the existence of the Kingdom of God and the nearness of Christ our King.

Happy Solemnity of Christ the king.