Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe (24/11/2024): Almighty ever-living God, whose will is to restore all things in your beloved Son, the King of the universe, grant, we pray, that the whole creation, set free from slavery, may render your majesty service and ceaselessly proclaim your praise. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.

Commentary on the Sunday Mass Readings for the Solemnity of Christ the King, Year B (24/11/2024):

The First Reading is taken from Daniel 7:13-14. Today’s extract from the Book of Daniel, written two centuries before Christ came on earth, tells us that the son of man would receive from God his Father, dominion and sovereignty over all peoples, nations and languages. He would be the king of kings and the lord of glory and his kingdom would last forever. Many other messianic prophecies in the Old Testament give Christ the Messiah the title of King.

The Second Reading is from the Book of Revelation 1:5-8. The readings today stress the kingly glory and dignity of Christ after his triumph over sin and death, while they also remind us of how much we owe him. This kingly glory will be visible to all men at his second coming—a vision which will delight his faithful ones but which will strike terror into his enemies. In his Apocalypse St. John reminds us first and foremost of all that Christ has done for us. During his life among us, he has revealed his loving Father. It was his own divine love that made him come as the incarnate Son of God and give his life for us. He triumphed over death and continues to love us in heaven. He established his messianic kingdom, in which we, his subjects, are given the power and the privilege of serving God with a true service—for he has joined us to himself who alone could give fitting service to his Father. John then reminds the faithful followers of Christ and Christ’s opponents as well that Christ will return in glory and majesty to dead a reckoning form each one. This a sobering thought for all of us.

The Gospel is from John 18:33-37, when Pilate was talking with Jesus and deciding whether or not to condemn Jesus to death. Pilate questioned Jesus about his kingship and Jesus admitted that he was a king but that his kingdom was not of this world. Long before, he had foreseen this death and had accepted it as part of his Father’s plan for making atonement for the sins of mankind. He knew Pilate did not believe that he was the leader of a rebellion against the Roman authorities, but he did not try to influence Pilate’s decision in his favour for he wanted the will of his Father carried out to the letter.

Five centuries before, the prophet Isaiah had described the Messiah who was to come as the Servant of God, who suffered torments on our behalf (Is 53:3-7). Had Pilate known this prophecy he would not have been surprised that Jesus uttered no word in his own defence. His Father had sent him to raise up mankind and to make atonement for men’s sins; his death on the cross was that supreme act of atonement and without objection he accepted it.

The kings of this earth demand of their subjects that they should be ready, if necessary, to lay down their lives to defend their king and realm. Men have always accepted this and millions have gladly given their lives to defend their country and rulers. We have a king who laid down his life for us and set us an example unlike that of any earthly king. Following his Father’s will, he did this to make us worthy to share in the Father’s eternal kingdom. The incarnation, which made us adopted children of God, and the crucifixion, which obtained remission of our sins, surely prove to us the love and the esteem in which God holds us. It should also show how important is our future life. Christ did not come on earth to make us healthy, happy or prosperous in this world; he came to open heaven for us where we could be happy forever. This was God’s purpose in creating us. This is his purpose for us still. All our other interests in this life are secondary when compared with this.

In honouring Christ today as our King, let us especially thank him for all the humiliations and sufferings he endured on our behalf. If our Christian way of living makes some demands on us let us not forget how trivial they are when compared with what Christ’s earthly life cost him. He made these severe sacrifices for us; we are asked to make our small offerings for ourselves. Our self-interest alone should inspire us, but our gratitude to Christ should especially move us to play our part. Let us promise to be grateful and loyal subjects of his for the rest of our days. He has made us members of his kingdom on earth—the Church—and is preparing a place for us in his everlasting kingdom. Let no one be so foolish as to forfeit an eternal happiness because of some earthly attachment to the passing things of this world.

Excerpted from The Sunday Readings, Cycle B, by Fr. Kevin O’Sullivan, O.F.M.