Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, we give praise and thanks to Almighty God that we are able to gather today, at the close of another liturgical calendar year, to celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe—a feast that invites us to reflect deeply on the nature of Christ’s kingship and the implications for our lives, especially in the context of our world today, which is so often marred by conflict, injustice, and division.
Our first reading from the Book of Daniel presents a compelling vision of the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, receiving dominion, glory, and kingship. Here we discover a King whose authority is not one of oppression or tyranny, but by everlasting dominion and a governance that transcends the limitations of earthly leadership. "All peoples, nations, and languages serve him," we are told. In a world rife with challenges—wars that displace millions, economic instability that burdens the weak, and political divisions that tear communities apart—this proclamation gives us hope. It reminds us that the true order of creation is upheld not by human powers, but by our King who reigns eternally in righteousness and mercy.
Our psalm reiterates this beautiful theme: "The Lord is king, robed in majesty." The image of God’s sovereignty is coupled with strength and stability. This truth is a source of comfort amidst the chaos around us. In every crisis, whether it be personal or global, we can take solace in the reality that our God is ever-present, eternally seated on the throne, and His decrees are trustworthy. As followers of Christ, we are called to reflect the holiness and justice of this Divine King in our own lives.
In the second reading from Revelation, we are reminded that Jesus is the "faithful witness," ruler of the kings of the earth. This title holds great significance, particularly today as we witness leaders around the globe wrestling with their grasp on power, often at the expense of the vulnerable. The call to be a witness to the truth resonates profoundly as we navigate through corruption and fear. We are summoned not only to acknowledge Jesus as King but to embody His principles of love, mercy, and justice in our interactions within our families, our communities, and the broader world. Governments, administrations and all those set in authority will be asked to give an accounting of how they fulfilled their vocations as all will have to stand before the tribunal of the King of Kings, who to fulfill the Father’s will, humbled himself like a lamb led to the slaughter, speaking not a word during his horrific passion.
This is the humble King who will judge us and whom we now have the honour, privilege, blessing and grace of calling our Lord, whom we follow day in and day out till the end of our days, so May it be.
Then we turn to the Gospel, where He stands before Pilate, declaring that “My kingdom does not belong to this world.” Here we have the heart of Christ’s kingship—one that radically challenges our earthly understandings of power and authority. When faced with betrayal and injustice, Jesus does not retaliate with violence or anger; instead, He speaks truth. He testifies to a kingdom that is founded not on might, but on truth and love.
This is a powerful reminder for us today as we witness the violence and sedition prevalent in various regions. It invites us to ask ourselves whether we are truly living as citizens of His kingdom, which calls us to peace, dialogue, and reconciliation rather than division.
As we reflect on the conflicts in places like Ukraine, Israel, and many other regions across the globe, we must remember our mission as members of Christ's kingdom: to seek peace, to promote justice, and to act with compassion. In a world where so many are suffering, we are called to be instruments of His peace and love.
As we conclude, let us pray for a greater awareness of Christ's kingship in our lives and for the grace to live as ambassadors of His peace.
In Christ, our King, we find our identity. May our lives reflect His majesty and truth. Amen.
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