Today we praise and adore our Savior and King in a special way
Reflections on the readings for the Solemnity of Our Lord, Jesus Christ, King of the Universe (November 24, 2019): 2 SM 5:1-3; PS 122:1-2,3-4,4-5; COL 1:12-20; LK 23:35-43
MISSIO offers “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
This great feast day that celebrates Jesus Christ as the King of the Universe was established by Pope Pius XI in 1925.
So it is relatively new in terms of Church history. The Pope was making a strong statement against rising secularism and nationalism around the world. He was determined to remind people that only our Lord is truly King of all that is or was or will ever be. The title Christ, meaning the Messiah, the Anointed One, the Redeemer was used in referring to Jesus during His life on earth. And His preaching of the Good News of salvation aimed at revealing the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven. This is a subject to which He frequently referred. And, as the Son of God – one with the Father and the Holy Spirit – this is really His own Kingdom. Indeed, by the 4th century, many works of art began depicting the majesty of Jesus.
In the Gospel for this day, we recall that on the day Christ died, many people called him King, although most were using the title to revile and demean Him. Even one of the criminals crucified with Jesus, scoffed and told Him to save Himself and them, too. But an extraordinary thing happened. The second criminal admonished the first. This other man clearly recognized their guilt and the complete innocence of Christ. More than that, this sinful man knew that he was in the presence of his King to whom he entrusted his last hope. “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’” (Luke 23:42-43). Christ the King is the first and the last hope of all people everywhere. We must never be afraid to ask Jesus to remember us, too. That’s why He came among us, to share His forgiving love and bring us home with Him forever.
