CHRIST, THE KING

XXXIV SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME: Rev 1:5-8

In the book of Daniel, we are presented with the Son of Man, an heavenly figure, “coming on the clouds of heaven” and on whom “was conferred sovereignty, glory and kingship, and men of all peoples, nations and languages became his servants.” (Dan 7:13-14).

Who is this Son of Man? As the son of man, he is a human being, but he is the Son, and so divine. Being divine, he is the King of kings and the Lord of lords, and he will be recognised and obeyed by all.

Jesus presented himself as the Son of Man, and the expression appears time and again in the Gospels.

“For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done.” (Mt 16:27)

“When the Son of Man is seated on the throne of his glory, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (Mt 19:28)

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory.” (Mt 25:31)

The book of Revelation, addressing the Church (represented in the seven churches), proclaims this same belief:

“Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen” (Rev 1:5-6)

However, as we proclaim and celebrate Jesus’ Lordship, we should not fall into the mistake of misunderstanding his power and his ruling. He did not come to be a king of this world, be it a dictatorial and totalitarian ruler or a most complacent and benevolent one. He totally rejected political power, and when people tried to make him a king, he went into hiding. To Pilate, he made it very clear that there was nothing to fear about his political ambitions, because he had none. His kingdom is not of this world. He came to bear witness to the truth, and his servants are those who search for the truth and listen to his voice (see Jn 18:33-37).

As we celebrate Jesus Christ the King, we may have a look at what is happening in our world. In the name of a god and guided by the example of a prophet, there are people who are ready to kill in the most barbaric manner. As I am writing, the breaking news are of an attack to a hotel in Bamako, Mali. Before that, were the killings in Paris, and still before, the downing of a Russian airliner - and all  these crimes were committed in the name of the Islamic State, which wants to conquer the world and impose Sharia law on all.

There are many people who try to explain this violence by saying that it is the fruit of a radical ideology that has nothing to do with Islam, claiming that Islam is a religion of peace. Indeed, most of the Muslims are peaceful people, but the seeds of violence are in their role model and in the word that he proclaimed. When the Christians involve themselves in violence, they abandon their role model Jesus Christ, turning their backs on him. Instead, when Muslims practice violence in the name of their faith, they are being true followers of their founder. 

When John and James asked for positions of power, Jesus taught them and all the Apostles the following lesson: 

“You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Mk 10:42-45)

That’s why when Peter tried to use the sword, Jesus rebuked him:

“Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword” (Mt 26:52)

Jesus was a man of peace, who ended up crucified, because of his faithfulness to the Father’s will.

On the contrary, Muhammad was a man of war. He himself took part in 27 expeditions of war, and ordered 73 more (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_expeditions_of_Muhammad). He imposed his religion by the sword. He was not only the founder of a religion, but the founder of an empire as well. And empires are built with the sword.

The Christian martyrs were and are non-violent people who suffered torture and death because of their faith in Jesus Christ. The Muslim martyrs are violent people who die fighting (or even commit suicide) to defeat the infidels (the unbelievers).

We want to be servants of Jesus Christ, who proclaims blessed those who work for peace and those who are mercyful as the Father is merciful (Mt 5:9; Lk 6:36).