It’s the end of the year for us Catholics as we celebrate the Solemnity of our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. This has to do with an aspect of Jesus’ identity rather than of his life. Conventional understandings of kingship and power are transformed. Rather than calling up images of Jesus dressed in royal robes, the Gospel proclaims him as king by the sign over his head on the throne of a wooden cross (I.N.R.I. Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews).
King David, referred to in the first reading is meant to shepherd the flock of God’s people, and part of that role is to defend the people even with military force. Christ our King, our Good Shepherd, defends us by teaching the truth, and the Church does the same for us by defending us in teaching moral law and the law of sacrificial love. As St. Paul addresses in the second reading, we should be thankful that we belong to a Church that teaches the truth even though its leaders and members don’t live it out. We are a Church of saints and sinners, but even our sins do not diminish the truth of the Gospel. That is why it is good for us to see that a criminal, a sinner, is the one to recognize the innocence of Jesus as He hung on the cross. How do we recognize Jesus? Is He the King of our lives? Do we recognize that it is God who is acting at Mass and we should be more attentive to giving our time fully at Mass and in our full participation? Do we express our thanks to the living God by our acts of Stewardship and charity?
With Thanksgiving a few days away and the beginning of Advent next Sunday there is much to occupy our reflection today. This might be a good time to review this past year of our spiritual journey. How was my relationship with the Lord? What might I change in the new year that begins next week? Does my answer include being more charitable and more grateful? Does my answer include growing in my understanding of the teachings of the Catholic Church? Does it include praying with the scriptures more?
Let’s sing this and mean it:
To Jesus Christ, our Sov'reign King,
Who is the world's salvation,
All praise and homage do we bring,
And thanks and adoration.
Refrain: Christ Jesus Victor, Christ Jesus Ruler! Christ Jesus, Lord and Redeemer!
2. Thy reign extend, O King benign,
To every land and nation,
For in Thy kingdom, Lord divine,
Alone we find salvation.
(Refrain)
3. To Thee and to Thy Church, great King,
We pledge our hearts' oblation,
Until before Thy throne we sing,
In endless jubilation.