Yet again, we have the privilege to celebrate that glorious feast of Christ the King, a special way to end the liturgical year. It is not just a coincidence that the liturgical calendar begins with a celebration about Christ (Advent) and ends with another about Christ (Christ the King).

It is indeed to fix our focus on Jesus who is the Alpha and the Omega of our worship and celebration. Take away Christ from our discussions and celebrations, it is as empty as anything you can think of. But for Christ’s sake, our gathering would not have been meaningful, our faith meaningless and our worship out of place. Christ is to be the beginning and end of all that we do, for He is the perfect image of the invisible God and through Him we gain an easy access to God the Father.

 

Christ, for and through whom we gather dear friends comes to the world to lay a very good precedence which will form for us a perfect model of Christian living. Little wonder, we are called Christians, that we may become another Christ in words and in deeds. How else can we become Christians if not to look at Him who is our Master and Founder? One of such lessons which Christ teaches us with His life is that surrounding kingship, kingdom, power, authority and leadership.

 

As much as our world today is concerned, one of the temptations we are faced with is the quest for power and authority. Everyone wants to be placed over and above others, even when we are not privileged to have that, we just want to be related with those in position of authorities.

In fact, this special love for authority has been there from time immemorial as one of the things Satan tempted Jesus with was this. "Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain, and showed

 

him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them, and he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me." Sad enough, many souls have fallen down and chosen path with the devil. This kingdom promised by the devil is such that is self-centered, hostile, materialistic, despotic and irresponsible. In short, it is a wicked kingdom with the face of a shepherd, yet, with the heart of a wolf.

 

Jesus however has come to establish a kingdom with a difference not dressed in full armour with spear and shield, nor is He going to destroy nations and win territories for Himself. He will establish a kingdom of peace, truth and service. A kingdom that accommodates all and make the vulnerable feel once more at home. He is a king with a difference, one that has been made visible right from his birth.

 

Not born in the royalty of a Palace but in a manger, not dressed in

gold and expensive clothing but in a swaddling cloth. He will not go through any other way but will Himself be nailed to the cross with a crown of thorns fixed on His head. What a king with a difference? Quite the very opposite of what we know of a king. He will take no place or rank among the acknowledged Kings of the world. Indeed, His kingdom is not of this world as He rejected the offer of the Devil for His only will is to do the will of His Father.

 

He has come to bear witness to the truth He says and all on the side of truth listen to Him. How else can we become a part of this kingdom if not to listen to him and become ourselves witnesses to the truth? Does He not require a very difficult thing from us in this age and time where the world is growing rather hostile to the truth, where it is extremely hard to speak the truth, let alone to bear witness to it? Yes, it is the truth that we need more than ever before in this age and time and this is what Christ has come to do, to bear witness to the truth, in fact, in this process He lost His life and so should we too, if we truly want to align with Him and become members of His kingdom. We are joint heirs of this kingdom and our cloak should be similar to that of Christ, our model and guide.

 

Let us therefore accept Jesus as our King. Let us not like the Jews say: "We have no king but Ceasar" (Jn. 19:15). At any moment we are caught up in mortal sin, we also say Jesus is not our king. At times when we give in to the desires of the flesh and choose other gods, we say we have no king but Ceasar and great is our sorrow at these moments. "Truly your decrees are to be trusted. Holiness is fitting to your house, O Lord, until the end of time. The Lord is king, with majesty enrobed."

 

Let us pray: O God, may we allow your reign over our lives that with you we may become beacons of light in a world darkened with evil. Amen.

Happy Sunday, stay safe and stay blessed