READINGS FOR THE SOLEMNITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, KING OF THE UNIVERSE, YEAR C, SUNDAY, 20TH NOVEMBER, 2022
First Reading: 2 Samuel 5: 1-3
Psalm: 121
Second Reading: 2 Colossians 1:12-20
Gospel: Luke 23: 35-43
REFLECTION BY FR CORNELIUS NWAOGWUGWU, CM
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, KING OF THE UNIVERSE
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Next Sunday, 27th November is the First Sunday of Advent. It is the beginning of a new liturgical year.
Today is the last Sunday of the Liturgical Year C. It celebrates the most Solemn Feast of the Christian Religion. It is the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. In this celebration, the Church proclaims that “Christ is the King and true leader of the entire universe.” It also celebrates “the peace of Christ in the reign of Christ.” This means that we live in “the peace of Christ.” It invites us to accept Christ as our God, Saviour and true King. It means surrendering our lives to Christ, our King, Messiah and Shepherd.
In today’s Gospel according to Luke, the soldiers mocked Jesus. They said to Jesus, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” There was an inscription above Jesus on the cross. It reads: “This is the King of the Jews.” (Luke 23: 35-43).
Considering the soldier’s mocking of Jesus, one cannot but question: Is Jesus Christ really a King? What kind of King is He?
Responding to the above questions, the prophet Isaiah made known to us God’s promise to raise up from the stock of David the Messiah. He will free the people from oppression, rule in Love, Justice, and Righteousness. The Messiah will direct the Kingdom in the fear of God. That Messiah is the Prince of Peace, whose Dominion, shall be established in Justice and Integrity and in a Peace that has no end. (Isaiah 9:6-7)
Expanding on this teaching, the prophet Ezekiel narrates how God promises to personally care for his people, as the shepherd cares for the sheep. (Ezekiel 34:11-12,15-17). In the same vein, St Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians declares that at the end of the world, all forces that are hostile to Christ will be overcome. Then the victorious Christ will rule as Universal King. (1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 28).
In the Gospel of John, Jesus said “Yes, 1 am a King. 1 was born for this, 1 came into the world for this: to bear witness to the truth; and all who are on the side of truth listen to my voice.” (John 18:33-37).
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus proclaimed that “he is the Anointed One; the Messiah, that he has been sent to bring the Good News to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives and new sight to the blind, to set the downtrodden free, and to proclaim the Lord’s year of favour.” (Luke 4:18).
The Gospel of Mathew shows how we are to promote the fuller coming of God’s Kingdom in our world. The best way to honour Christ our King is to work for the promotion of God’s Kingdom of Truth, Justice, Peace, Love and Forgiveness. We become Jesus’ followers when we recognize his presence in those experiencing difficulties. God’s Kingdom comes “whenever justice is done for the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, and the oppressed.” In working for the poor, we are serving Christ the King in person and imitating Jesus Christ, our Universal King. (Matthew 25:31-46)
Hence, we are urged not to exclude Christ our King from any area of our personal or family lives. In other words, Christ must be in full charge of our lives, and we must give him sovereign power over our thoughts, our heart and our will. We are invited to be serving disciples of a serving King. Jesus declared that he came not to be served but to serve. He showed us the spirit of service by washing the feet of his disciples. Jesus came to proclaim to all of us the Good News of God’s love and salvation. Jesus said: “Love one another as I have loved you.”
May Christ the King in His infinite glory give us the power through His Spirit to grow strong in love and peace now and forever. Amen.
Fr. Cornelius Nwaogwugwu, CM