Lord Jesus, |
My Dear Brothers and Sisters,
The last Sunday of the liturgical year is always celebrated as the Solemnity of Christ The King. How do the worldly monarchs prepare us for understanding the kingship of Jesus Christ? Unfortunately for the most part, they do not. Jesus’ kingship is exercised in a manner that has rarely been reflected in other rulers, be they kings, queens, tzars, sheiks, presidents, prime ministers, or even bishops and popes. Many of these would enforce their ownership and strongly assert their power and authority. Jesus invites free acceptance of himself and his care. Many of these would rule for their own interests and purposes, but Jesus exercises his power as protection, his authority as service. Earthly sovereigns may force conformity to their will upon their subjects; Jesus, as king, invites those whom he has called to be friends, brothers and sisters to be transformed by his dominion.
Acceptance of Jesus’ sovereignty will entail a daily, deliberate and lifelong willingness to be transformed by Him. This will involve a transformation by his words, by his mind, by his will and by his heart. His words were truthful; his mind was fully intent on God and goodness; his will was conformed to God’s will; his heart was warm with welcome for all, full of forgiveness and compelled by compassion. The transformation of believers by the power and kingship of Jesus Christ is far from complete. Indeed, as we limp along toward the goal of establishing Jesus’ dominion in all people and places, discouragement may set in and paralysis may ensue. As German theologian Wolfhart Pannenberg once observed, our present world with its wars, injustices and brutalities, demonstrates the gap between itself and kingship of Christ.
Our King, Jesus, achieved his kingship, his victory and his glory through suffering, humiliation and death. While humiliation and suffering aspects of Jesus’ kingship will be featured in today’s gospel (Jn 18:33-37), the glorious victory of Jesus is anticipated in today’s first reading (Dan. 7:13-14). In today’s second reading (Rev. 1:5-8) the author of Revelation will transpose this description to the risen Jesus.
God’s kingdom, in Jesus , has not yet come in all its fullness. We can maintain hope because of faith in our king and the coming kingdom.
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