Today is the Feast of Christ the King in the Extraordinary Form Mass. It is nice to reflect on Who is our King? Now that we are preparing to vote for our new leaders and, in particular, for the 47th President of our country, we as Catholics must vote. It is an important responsibility that we need to do. The US Conference of Catholic Bishops made a document to guide and to form the conscience of every Catholic Faithful Citizen. Everyone of us will be making hard decisions and choices; therefore, we need to conform to living the gospel values taught and lived by our Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Catholic Church teachings. We are to do our best to share policies and opinions that reflect the way of Jesus. Thus, we are called to discern well. Pope Francis says, “We need to participate for the common good. Sometimes we hear: a good Catholic is not interested in politics. This is not true: good Catholics immerse themselves in politics by offering the best of themselves so that the leader can govern.”
In the epistle today, taken from the letter to the Colossians, St. Paul is proclaiming Jesus being the image of God, who came to inherit the kingdom of God. In Jesus everything finds its purpose in Him. Christ is sovereign over all things, and as believers we need to celebrate His supremacy, power and kingship. His ultimate power through His passion and death is to open the way for reconciliation between God and His creation. Therefore, St. Paul preaches to the people of Colossae that they have to give express gratitude, for God delivered them from the domain of darkness and brought them back into His kingdom, requiring them to live pleasing to God.
The core truth of our Christian belief must be upheld to preserve unity rather than division. We should not forget that what we believe, our doctrine and teaching of the Magisterium of the Church, are essential in maintaining and establishing unity in Jesus Christ, our King. What we believe is what holds us together. Focusing on this passage is who Christ is and what we believe about Him, which is so important to us. What do you believe about Christ Jesus? Christ is indeed “the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature; for in Him were all things created in heaven and on earth..” These words unpacked Christ’s identity having dominion over this creation as His image made visible, like a mirror of who He truly is. Jesus Christ is the perfect image of God, and His words and works “uphold by the word of His power;” henceforth, we have a perfect image of God who came in the flesh in Jesus Christ.
Today, many think they are searching for God for our security, purpose, joy and happiness, but it has been revealed in the presence of His incarnate Son, Jesus Christ our Savior and King. We gather to worship and proclaim that Christ is King. Today the Church announces that it bows to Jesus the Christ, and we declare that we do not give allegiance to any other person, principality and power claiming to be sovereign. Thus, we come to live out that profession of faith.
In today’s gospel, there is a dialogue between Pilate and Jesus which is unique to John. Throughout John’s gospel, Jesus makes it clear who He is and manifests His true identity, but we tend to ignore the truth and not listen to His voice. Jesus is talking about the kingdom. Is this dominance of power and exploitation? No! Jesus is speaking of His kingdom putting relationship at its core. When the kingdom is construed from the truth of relationship and not rules and prohibitions, from the truth of love and not law, then certainly Jesus reigns. Jesus does have a kingdom and not an army, but faithful disciples who labor for love, forgiveness, friendship, patience and tolerance for everyone.
This dialogue between Jesus and Pilate is traced in three different questions:
First, Identity of Jesus. “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus knows that Pilate is gathering information, not interested about His true identity, like name, work and birthplace, etc.. What is important to know in the gospel of Jesus are the values and qualities to live a life worthy to know Christ, who can fully direct us.
Second, our actions and words reveal the values we hold and are expressed in what we do or say. “What have you done?” Our external and internal life must be one and aligned to the gospel of Jesus. Our values are being revealed and affirmed when we speak and post on social media. We must live without contradiction and dichotomy between our lives and our words and actions.
Third, is Truth. Pilate concludes, “So you are a King?” Jesus responded, “You say that I am a king?” For Jesus, truth is a way of being. When I say, “I forgive you,” this is what I believe is the truth; therefore, I forgive. If I believe the truth of loving others, then I must accept the truth of loving my neighbor and my enemies. In like manner, we must accept that truth is not a concept and proposition but is connected to our very being. Jesus testified to the truth by loving, forgiving, welcoming, and healing.
What is the truth in your life? We struggle for authenticity and integrity which we all want in order to reclaim ourselves. It is only through Jesus, our King, that we experience healing, and it is only through Him that we have the wholeness as we go through the process.
Hosanna, to our King, Jesus Christ!
Fr. Arlon, osa
