Today, Catholic celebrates the Solemnity of Jesus Christ, the King of the Universe. This is a fitting celebration to end the liturgical year. The celebration is much more than just closing the calendar. It is an act of faith. If God is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning, and the end, then celebrating the one who is above all is a testimony to our faith, to our act of total surrender to the one who made us.

A lot is already known about Christ, as an infant, the king was terrified because of Him and had many children killed, because he would not tolerate another king ruling instead of him. As Michaelangelo said a long time ago, “Bidden or not bidden, God is still God.”  Whether we proclaim Him or not, God is still God and forever is God. One of the thieves on the Cross, had spark of inspiration and he recognized Jesus as king and paid Him homage, the news that followed is remarkable good news that many of us desire to hear “Today, you will be with me in my kingdom.” The one who made the promise is the one who can grant it, the Lord of the Universe.  But take a look at the other thief, he ridiculed the Lord of glory, made fun of him, and lost the kingdom for all eternity.

So, who is your king? Who are you working for? On whose side are you? Today, many of our young ones have devoted and dedicated their life to the god of soccer and the players have become their gods.  Whose kingdom do they hope to acquire? It is certain that the football stars have not kingdom to bequeath them, in fact, most times, they do not even benefit from their riches. Why then would a man sacrifice himself for what has no lasting value? Why do we inflate ourselves and leave our lungs gasping for air?

The celebration of Christ the King and the attendant procession in honour of Corpus Christi is not just a celebration to parade round the town, but a glorious opportunity for followers of Christ to show him to the world as the centre of human life. It is our opportunity to give the world a befitting gift, a transforming gift. It is our chance to show Christ as the model worths imitating.

The world is in need of models, models of faith and morals, models of integrity and dedication and it is fruitless focusing our search on human beings when the one who is on the throne is the one that said, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.”   He is the Way that we need to walk, the Life that we need and the Truth that is able to guide our feet along the path of life. And what blessed assurance is ours to know that “His kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him.” Therefore, we must seek this kingdom before all else, only then will all other things be given unto us.

The kingdom that God has promised is not abstract, it is not a fantasy. It is real, a kingdom of love and peace, a kingdom of justice and freedom, a kingdom of righteousness and contentment. It is a kingdom like no other, no wonder many do not appreciate it and are unable to desire or work for it. If you know that gold lies hidden in the pile of rubbish beneath your feet, would you sell that piece of land?   If God gives us a glimpse of his kingdom, we will beg to be taken there instantly.

What is it that made Peter to become such a fearless preacher of the Good news of Christ? What made St. Paul to say, “That I may know him and the power of his resurrection?” What did the Martyrs die for? What is the motivation behind the Virgins’ consecration of themselves to Jesus? The answer is simple, these people found the love of their life and He is the King on the throne, and they were happy to serve Him.

I believe this is more than enough motivation for us to follow Jesus. He has done all things well and in a world of darkness and confusion, His light is still the beacon that guide us, His words the light that leads us along the right path and the promise of spending eternity with Him, the blessed assurance that we must not allow to elude our grasp. 

As we join other Catholics to profess our faith in the true divinity of Jesus hidden under the appearances of Bread and Wine, we give praise and thanks to God for choosing our lowly nature to be His body, for transforming it to give us hope and for inviting us to reign with Him in His kingdom. We are sons and daughters of a loving father and as heirs with Christ to the riches of heaven, we are destined to be kings and queens with Him.  Let’s rule the world for Christ and His kingdom will be ours.