Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
Does the gospel reading chosen for such a majestic feast strike you as unusual? Why would the church choose the most shameful moments of Christ’s life as the gospel reading for the Solemnity of Christ the King? When we celebrate anniversaries, birthdays, and events connected with our loved ones, don’t we normally focus on the positive? The gospel says about Jesus that the rulers sneered at him, the soldiers jeered at him, and one of the criminals reviled him, saying “Are you not the Christ?” To a certain extent, this criminal is justified in his question. How could this man sharing the fate of criminals be God? The plaque above his head said, “This is the King of the Jews.” How could a man hanging from a cross be a king? This man groaning with pain – how could he be “the Christ?” Why could the Church not have chosen a reading that showcases Christ’s splendor?
The answer to this question lies in context within which this feast was instituted. The feast of Christ the King was instituted in 1925 by Pope Puis XI between the two World Wars. The rise of nationalism and fascism in Europe threatened the future of humanity. The possibility of another world looked real. You and I know that that possibility did become a reality. Also, at this time, the Church was not in an envious position either. After the French Revolution, the church had gradually been relegated to the fringes of society. Her influence in the world stage was minimal. In Pope Pius XI’s mind, the answers for the wellbeing of both the church and the world lay in the message of the cross of Christ. . It was way in which Christ exercised his power – in humility, self-sacrifice, forgiveness, love, and reconciliation – that the world and the church could move forward.
I want to offer three points that connects the cross of Christ and the church today.
1. Pope Francis – The New Face of the Church. I was at the bank the other day to meet with my financial advisor. When he came to know that I was a Catholic priest, he right away started talking about Pope Francis. He said, “I am not a Catholic, but I like the new Pope.” I have never heard more people express their affection for the papacy than I have done since Francis became the Pope. What is captivating about the Pope? I think it is his humility, his simplicity, his willingness to be human, his compassion and his openness. And he is calling all the bishops and priest to follow suit. And right here is the connection to the cross and the feast of Christ the King. If the Kingdom of God must grow and if Christ must be the Universal King, then there is only one way. That way is not the way of arrogance, clericalism, triumphalism, elitism, self-centeredness, and self-righteousness. Pope Francis has certainly paved another way – the way of simplicity, humility and compassion. Apart from instituting three commissions to make the Vatican more transparent and accountable, he is also reaching out to those who have felt alienated from the church. He does not forget the poor and most of all he does not condemn the sinner. That is exactly what Jesus did as he hung on the cross. Jesus welcomed the repentant thief into paradise. Pope Francis is preaching the gospel of repentance, conversion, compassion, love, mercy and reconciliation. And this is the message of Christ on the cross on the feast of Christ the King.
2. Pope Francis Wants Your Opinion. While, this second point is not directly connected to the feast, I want draw your attention to another radical change in the church. How many times in the past has the Vatican asked you for your opinion? I don’t remember this ever happening. Pope Francis has called for a Bishop’s synod to be held in Oct 2014. The topic of the synod is: The Pastoral Challenges of the Family in the Context of Evangelization. And Pope Francis wants to hear from you. He has asked anybody who cares about the role of the family in the church and the world to express their opinion. This week’s bulletin has an insert which will take you to the website where anyone can answer the questions that are posted there. Here is the link to this questionnaire: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ZPG7B6G. There are two important things going on here. First, we recognize the importance of the family and the challenges families face in the world. On the other hand, the fact that the Pope is asking lay people for their opinion is a huge change in attitude. This is the face of a more Christ-like church.
3. Our Heart - The Extension of the Heart of God. Jesus said to the second criminal, “Today, you will be with me in paradise.” Where is this Paradise? Where is this Kingdom of God? Where is heaven? Paradise, or heaven, or Christ’s Kingdom is not “somewhere up in the sky.” Christ’s Kingdom is the ever expanding and eternally loving heart of God. One day each of us hopes to find an eternal place in God’s eternal heart – this heart that beats with limitless love, life and peace. Christ has shown us the way for us to get there. That way is the way of humility, of self-sacrifice, of forgiveness, of love, and of the reconciliation and of peace. That way is the way of the cross. Our heart must be an extension of God’s heart. The human heart is God’s domain, Christ’s kingdom. The human heart is where God Kingdom reigns. When we pray “Thy Kingdom Come,” we must pray that our heart becomes like the heart of Christ. Pope Francis clearly seems to be leading us in that way.
Today we are celebrating the Solemnity of Christ the King. But Christ still comes to us in humble bread and simple wine. This is the same Christ who came to us in a manger at Christmas and the same Christ who was crowned King on a cross. He now comes to us in humility, love, compassion and peace. As we encounter the heart of Christ today, let our hearts become one with his. This would the most solemn celebration of the Solemnity of Christ the King.
- Fr. Satish Joseph