Meditation
for the Solemnity of Christ the King, Year C
(2 Sam
5:1-3; Col 1:12-20; Lk 23:35-43)
His rulership and sovereignty are eternal. He says, “All
authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Mt 28:18). Jesus resisted
the temptation to be recognized as king according to human needs (cf. Jn 6:15).
He said to Pilate, “Mine is not a kingdom of this world” (Jn 18:36). So, the
Kingship of Jesus is unique and different from the rulership of the world; His
model of rulership is a challenge to human authorities. The kingship of Jesus
was mostly revealed during His passion and Cross, instead of the moments of his
manifestation of power and authority during his preaching and performing of miracles.
The Gospel of today narrates how the rulers scoffed at
Jesus, and the soldiers mocked Him, saying, “If you are the King of the Jews,
save yourself!” It is typical of earthly kings and rulers to take care of themselves,
ensuring their own security and comfort before taking care of their subjects. But
here is Jesus hanging on the Cross, with an inscription over Him, saying, “This
is the King of the Jews.” He is the king, whose crown was made of thorns, His
thrown was the Cross. His ‘royal garment’ was taken away from Him, and He was
stripped of all that he had. Jesus is the king, who was rejected by His kinsmen
(Jn 1:11), and betrayed by His followers. He is the King, who lays His life for
His followers. While earthly rulers pass judgement and condemnation on their
people, Jesus says, “I have come not to judge the world, but to save the world”
(Jn 12:47). He desires that we all reign with Him in His Kingdom, for He said
to one of the criminals crucified beside him, “Truly, I say to you, today you
will be with me in Paradise.”
In our celebration today, we echo the words of St. Paul in the
second reading, thanking God for qualifying us to share ‘in the inheritance of
the saints in light.’ Through the passion of Jesus, God delivered us from the dominion
of darkness and transferred us to the Kingdom of His beloved Son, “In whom we
have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” The doors of the kingdom of Jesus are
open to us all so that we can enter in through the ‘way of the Cross.’ Christ’s
faithful are transferred from the kingdom of darkness and earthly kingdom to
the Kingdom of Jesus. In this kingdom, Jesus reigns that we might reign with
Him. “He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation, for
in Him all things were created…” In His kingdom, we are all enrolled as ‘Firstborn
sons and citizens of heaven’ (Heb 12:23), we become ‘co-heirs’ with Christ’ (Rm
8:17), which makes us ‘a chosen race, a royal priesthood’ (1 Pet 2:9).
It becomes obvious that those who wish to reign with Him must
hold Him as pre-eminent in everything. That means Jesus must have the greatest
influence in their lives. They will not surrender to any other power or
authority, whether visible or invisible. In Christ Jesus we live as children of
the Kingdom, “For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and
through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven.”
Thus, Jesus the universal King becomes the center of our lives. All our
thoughts, words and actions ought to be inspired by the righteousness of Jesus
and for His glory, “Since it is in Him that we live, and move, and have our
being” (Acts 17:28).
Therefore, we gather before Jesus, as the Israelites gathered
before David at Hebron, to acknowledge Him as our King. As Kingdom-children,
who are called to reign with Him, our ways of rulership and exercise of
authority must be modeled after Jesus. We must put away greed, pride and
arrogance that is common among earthly leaders. ‘The way of the Cross’ is the
way we reign and exercise authority. This is how we confront and overcome the
worldly ways of rulership, and make way for the peace and love of Jesus to
reign in our hearts and in our society. Amen.
Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Sunday November 20th, 2022.
Solemnity of Christ the King
