Our Lord Jesus Christ, The Universal King (Year C)

II Sam 5.1-3;
Col 1.12-20;
Lk 23.35-43

The Solemnity of Christ the King was instituted by Pope Pius XI in 1925, at the sixteenth centenary of the Council of Nicaea at which the doctrine of the consubstantiality of Christ with the Father was defined. In the late 1960’s, it was moved to its new position at the end of the Church’s year, just one week before Advent begins again the recurring cycle.  The purpose of this new position was to emphasize Christ’s sovereign dominion over all times and all seasons, all ages, all creation; His cosmic Kingship.   All that of course is true, and we do very well to celebrate it.  

With that aspect in mind, our Scripture readings today invite us to reflect on the various ways in which kingship is exercised. In the first reading from the book of Samuel we recall the moment Israel first established a King.  Strangely enough it was young David that God chose.  I say strangely because David proved to be an adulterer and a murderer.  Yet, God was able to use his gifts at leadership to unite the twelve often squabbling tribes of Israel into one nation. 

Not everyone was thrilled with this development but it was a transforming moment for Israel.  For all David’s very real weaknesses, his gifts of unshaking faith in God and extraordinary leadership ability brought together God’s chosen people in a unique way.  They became an economic and military power in their region of the world.  Though they continued to struggle with their fidelity to God, they truly thrived as a nation.   

Then, in the Gospel we are presented with a very different King of Israel.  We see Jesus on the Cross, mocked and ridiculed, rejected and beaten, enduring the pain of his wounds and struggling for breath.  Yet, from the throne of his cross he forgives his persecutors, welcomes a thief into paradise, entrusts the Church into the loving care of his Mother, and then, surrenders his life with complete trust into the hands of his loving Father. 

Looking at the Gospel, we are presented with a very different King of Israel.  We see Jesus on the Cross, mocked and ridiculed, rejected and beaten, enduring the pain of his wounds and struggling for breath.  Yet, from the throne of his cross he forgives his persecutors, welcomes a thief into paradise, entrusts the Church into the loving care of his Mother, and then, surrenders his life with complete trust into the hands of his loving Father. 

The gospel brings the King before our eyes, but not reigning in triumph, apparently.  Rather, we see the King nailed to His Cross.  Over His head, an ironic caption “This is the King of the Jews” – a deliberately contemptuous accolade from Pontius Pilate, the minor provincial functionary of the occupying power, the Roman Emperor. Bleeding and tortured on the Cross, Our Lord’s  absolute sovereignty over all Emperors, Kings, Princes and rulers seems unconvincing, to say the least.  There is the King of Kings dying in agony, between two common criminals.  Not a very auspicious beginning to His endless reign.

There was however one person in particular who saw beyond the surface details, one poor sinner who glimpsed a little, but enough, of Christ’s majesty.  It was of course one of those who were crucified with Him, the one whom we call ‘the Repentant Thief’, in tradition sometimes known the name Dismas.  This commoner, this petty criminal, was given a particular grace, in the hour of his death.  He was given the grace to discern the true identity and prerogatives of His Sovereign, and still stuck to the tree, he was given the further grace of throwing himself upon the mercy of His King. “Remember me, when you come in your kingly power”.  

A better translation of those words would be, “remember me when you come into your kingdom”. When you enter into your kingdom.   Something in the future.  Our Lord’s immediate and generous reply was the promise of Paradise, a promise to be fulfilled not in this life, but in the life to come. Christ’s kingship was not built on economic or military power, but on total, unconditional, self-giving love.

As we search for our path into Christ’s Kingdom, we are called to model ourselves after the One who is our King.  He gave his life so that we could have life.  We are called to give our lives so that our brothers and sisters can have life.  Christ is a unique King, indeed.  And, we are called to aspire to be (like) him.

Fr Osho