How many titles do we have for Jesus of Nazareth? There are dozens. Many are biblical; many are associated with particular feasts. Books have been written about Christ as the Light and the Bread of Life and many more titles. What does it mean to call Christ our King?
The word “King” conjures up a variety of interpretations from benevolent dictator to self-indulgent tyrant to non-governing, but royal family member. We know about kings from history books, from movies and television, and from Shakespeare plays. Kings gained their power either through conquering another king or simply by being born into the right family. Kings held complete authority at least until recent history when royalty hold more influence than power such as in England today. In the United States, we may admire royalty, but we don’t want to be royal subjects at the mercy of the whims or wishes of an absolute ruler.
What kind of kingship do we celebrate on the Solemnity of Christ the King? The first reading uses a shepherd image for a king. St. Paul says that in Christ’s kingdom we have been redeemed and our sins forgiven. In Paul’s image, Christ is head of the body which is the Church, who brings peace and reconciliation to all. In the Gospel, this king is crucified, but even in this state, he offers forgiveness and the assurance of life after death to another condemned man. These are the images of Christ the King in our liturgy.
Jesus contrasted himself with the kings of his day and said that those kings like to lord it over people, but “I am here among you as one who serves.” (Lk. 22:24-30). Jesus is a servant king who has given up his life for the people of the kingdom. His throne was a cross, and his crown was a crown of thorns. He has reconciled all things and made peace by the blood of his cross.
Christ is a compassionate king who conquered death and who brings us into Paradise to be with him forever. Looking at Christ as the King who wants to gather us to himself is an ideal preparation for beginning Advent next week as we await the Second Coming of this King.
Christ is ruler over all that is and has been and is to come; a ruler filled with sacrificial love who has redeemed us and made us his people. Christ has established a kingdom of peace, justice, and truth. We pray for that kingdom to come, “on earth as it is in heaven.”