A Kingdom not of this World ~ A Reflection on the Feast of Christ the King

Feast of Christ the King (B)

Dn 7:13-14

Ps 93:1, 1-2, 5 (1a)

Rev 1:5-8

Jn 18:33b-37

Today, the last Sunday of the church year, we celebrate the feast of Christ the King.

As we look around our world today, one could wonder, "Where is this King?  Where is his Kingdom?"  But as we read in John's Gospel, Jesus specifically said that his Kingdom did not belong in this world.

John implies that Pilate couldn't understand why Jesus had been handed over to him by the chief priests when Jesus did not claim to be King of the Jews.  Pilate may not have realized that Jesus was a threat to the authority of the temple leadership and the priestly power structure of his time.  That priestly authority was placing impossible burdens on the people whereas, Jesus' ministry among the people brought hope and healing to even the least of them.  Jesus' ministry brought fear to the hearts of the chief priests and their minions.  Jesus spoke about Truth, explaining to Pilate that "(f)or this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice."

Daniel's visions of the end of time, in the First Reading, describes the victory of Jesus as King of the Universe, as he is given "dominion, glory and kingship" by the Ancient One.  All peoples, nations and languages would serve him and his kingship would never be destroyed.  Here we see a little better what Jesus meant when he said that his Kingdom was not of this world.  His kingship would be timeless and everlasting and his Kingdom would include all of us.  And because it is timeless, his people (including us) are to live out his Kingdom in our lives.

The reading from Revelation describes how Jesus freed us from our sins by his blood; and through his love, he has made us into a kingdom, "priests for his God and Father..."  all for the glory of his Father.

The psalmist expresses his joy for the Lord, his king:

"Your throne stands firm from of old; from everlasting you are, O Lord.... Your decrees are worthy of trust indeed; holiness befits your house."   (Ps 93:1ff) 




~ Detail from a mosaic by Bon Chandiyamba at the Christ the King Church in Sophiatown, Johannesburg, South Africa