First Reading: Ezek 34:11-12, 15-17
Second Reading: 1 Cor 15:20-26, 28
Today we are celebrating the
Solemnity of Christ the King. Even though in this 21st century we
don’t have the reigns of monarchs, still the celebration of this feast holds
lots of significance. Because this feast was also not instituted at a time when
monarchs were reigning. Rather, Pope Pius XI decreed this feast in the year
1925 in the midst of thriving capitalism and communalism form of governments.
The two world wars divided the people of God in the name of nationalism; they
were united as Christians but divided as citizens of different counties. Jesus
Himself had said that you cannot serve two masters (Mt 6:24). Thus, the
institution of this feast awakened the consciousness of the people of God that
patriotism and nationalism cannot be equivalent to God. The leaders who
brainstormed the people to give first priority to the interest of the nation
were instructed through this feast that interest of humanity should precede the
interest of the nation. The leaders of different nations were taught that their
power is never a supreme, rather they are all under one universal king, Jesus
Christ - all of the kingdoms [nations] are under one Kingdom of God.
Cosmic
King: In the second reading St. Paul speaks about handing over the kingdom
of God to the Father (1 Cor 15:24). The end of the world is marked by the
subjugation of every ruler, authority and power by Christ. The purpose of the
Kingdom of God is to destroy all kinds of kingdoms – both natural and
supernatural. With these St. Paul creates an imagery of Christ as cosmic king
who has power even over death through His resurrection. All the authority are
limited when it comes to death. The only ruler who has power over death – the
greatest destruction of human being – is Jesus Christ. In solemnizing this feast
we remind our leaders that their authority and supremacy are powerless in the
face of death.
Shepherding King: The kingship of Jesus is marked by shepherd imagery.
In the first reading God of Israel is addressing the exiles at Babylon. He
tells them that their exile and failure of Davidic monarchy are the result of
the negligence of the kings in carrying out their duty. The negligence of the
kings to be faithful to the commandments of God had led to the bifurcation of
one United Kingdom of David into two as Judah and Israel. The allowance of the
pagan worship and mixed marriages with pagans deteriorated the importance of
God’s covenant with Israel. Kings were the representatives of God on earth. If
they fall, the whole nation will stumble. Kings irresponsible way of governing
God’s nation destroyed and scattered the people. And so, God says that He
Himself will a king over them who will rule them like shepherd of the sheep.
The shepherd does not rule collectively but gives individual attention. He
cares of each of his sheep. Similarly, God promises to seek out to every men and
women in His kingdom especially those who need a personal care such as the
wounded, the sick, the lost, the strayed, the crippled and the weak (Ezk
34:16).
Emmanuel King: Kings and rulers of the earth reign from their
palaces and seats. On the contrary, our King rules from being among the people.
The incarnation of Christ is the manifestation of nature of God’s reign.
Through the incarnation, God dwelt among men and women. He is Emmanuel (Is
7:14; Mt 1:23) who takes His throne among His subjects. By taking a human form
he shared the conditions of the people of His kingdom. He is a king who is on
the streets. In the Gospel, Jesus says that all that we do to the neglected and
the needy in the society are done to Him (Mt 25:40). There are two groups in
the Gospel. The first group of people carry out the works of Mercy not by
seeing God in the needy people but by being pulled by their love for God. The second
group of people failed to carry out the works of mercy as they could not see
God in the needy people (Mt 25:44-45). This group of people are devotional
people who accept God as their head but hardly listen to His teachings. The
first group of people love God. Their love for God pulls them to alleviate the
poor condition of fellow human beings who are also created in an image and
likeness of God (Gen 1:27). On the other hand, the people who receive the
benefit from these generous people experience the providence of God. The king
who promised to take care of all kinds of neglected people in the first reading
is now asking His people to take care of their fellow beings. Anyone who has
Christ as his/her king actualizes Christ’s command to love others. In this way
Christ the shepherding King cares for the weak and the downtrodden in the
society. Therefore, the reason for the existence of the poor in the world is
not that God is uncaring, rather the world in unloving God. The first
Christians lacked nothing materially because their love for one another flowed
from their love for God. Their acceptance of Jesus as their Lord [king] and
master of life led them to do His will. The citizens obey the governments if
they have either love or fear for their rulers. The people of God obey God’s
commandment to be merciful to others, if they have love for God. Contrarily,
those who have only fear for God, end up like second category of people in the
Gospel who wanted to see God and serve
Him alone.
As we keep the feast of our
King, let us make sure that He is the Lord of all the aspects of our life
whether they be personal, social, intellectual and cultural. Happy feast!
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