Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Jesus was born at a time when the Roman Empire, one of the most powerful empires in all human history, reigned. Through most of Christian history, the western world was ruled by kings (or queens). When Jesus proclaimed the Gospel in Galilee and Judea, the people understood the concept of a monarchy, a kingdom.
Furthermore, Jesus’ first public words in St. Mark’s Gospel refer to a kingdom. Jesus said, “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
Thus, Jesus is announcing a new kind of kingdom, not one of this world alone; not one dominated by human power, wealth or violence. Rather, as the Preface for the Mass on the Solemnity of Christ the King states, “an eternal and universal kingdom, a kingdom of truth and life; a kingdom of holiness and grace, a kingdom of justice, love and peace.”
We complete the Year of Grace 2024 with this great feast day of Christ the King. How appropriate it is that we should conclude the liturgical year by honoring our Lord Jesus Christ under the title, “King of the Universe.”
This world-wide Catholic feast day was instituted by Pope Pius XI in 1925. The Holy Father established this feast to emphasize the true kingship of Christ, in response to growing secularism and secular ultra-nationalism that was emerging in Europe following the fall of European kingdoms after World War I. The Pope decided to establish the solemnity to point to a king “of whose kingdom there shall be no end.”
As the universal King, the Lord Jesus deserves allegiance, honor and obedience. He is a King motivated by love for His subjects. As members of His Kingdom, we are called to be good subjects and give all honor and fidelity to Jesus Christ, the King.
Sincerely yours in Christ Jesus, the Way, the Truth and the Life,
