XXXIV SUNDAY: Christ the King

This Sunday is the end of the liturgical year, and, as a summary of the mystery of salvation that we have been celebrating, the Church presents us with the feast of Christ the King.

I would like to stress three important themes from today’s readings:

There will be a judgement.

This implies the seriousness of our life, meaning that a lot is at stake and that our actions and our decisions have consequences for our future. The judgement reminds us that there is a future, and that future depends on what we do now. We are answerable for what we do or refuse to do; and we will harvest what we sow now. Our future will depend on our present.

And we will be judged according to our attitudes towards the others, mainly towards the needy, the poor and the suffering.

Jesus is the King of kings, 

meaning that everything must submit to him. Jesus is the centre of everything, and only in him our hearts will find rest and our lives have meaning. 

However, the word king is misleading, because Jesus never wanted to be a ruler like the kings or emperors of this world. Certainly he is not a king like Herod was. He never had an army to impose his rule or a secret service to keep his enemies in check. When people tried to make him a king, he went into hiding. He said it very clearly that the Son of man did not come to be served but to serve. Jesus is king, but we should remember that he was proclaimed king on the cross. He is a king of love, who puts himself at the service of all those who accept him. And he is the king of truth, which liberates all those who are ready to walk on its path.

Jesus presents himself as a shepherd, 

because his kingship is of peace and love. He does not oppress; instead, he liberates all those who are downtrodden. Jesus is the good shepherd who gives his life for his people, paying attention and showing great love for each on of them.

We celebrate Christ the King, because his kingship of love and mercy will be victorious, destroying the powers of hatred and death.

To him all glory, honour and power for ever and ever.