The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe [B]
November 21, 2021
John 18:33-37

Christ the King Sunday is the ultimate Sunday of the Liturgical Year. The feast is a fitting reminder for all of us that, in the end, Jesus is our king. Yet, we do not have any idea what it means to be a subject to a king for many of us. Some may have kings or queens as their heads of state, but ordinarily, they do not involve in our daily lives. In fact, we have only very few absolute monarchs in the world, like the Sultan of Brunei, King of Saudi Arabia, and the Pope!

Living in modern societies, we cherish and value personal freedom and autonomy. We fight for our fundamental rights, and we go to the courts to demand justice. The violations of human rights are considered serious crimes. We decide how we want to be governed by electing our desired public officials. We choose where, how, and with whom we want to live. Those who want to limit our freedom are tyrants and dictators. Thus, when we celebrate the feast of Christ the King, this royal title of Jesus does not mean too much for us. We can easily relate to Jesus as our friend and brother, but not Jesus as our king.

Yet, in the Gospel, Jesus as a king is one of His most fundamental identities. Jesus is called the Christ, meaning the anointed one, and this title refers primarily to a king like King David. Jesus begins His ministry by building the Kingdom of God and chooses twelve apostles as the new tribes of Israel. His actions only make sense if Jesus is the king of that kingdom. In today’s Gospel, Pilate asks Jesus whether He is a king, and Jesus gives His affirmative answer. On the cross, the repented criminal says to Jesus, “remember me when you come as a king!” In fact, on His cross, His identity is written, “Jesus King of the Jews.”

What does it mean to have Jesus as our king? Why does it matter to us? The answer is that it is all that matters. Jesus is not only a king, just like any other kings, but He is also the author of our being. He designs our nature that we will only arrive at our true purpose in God. Thus, accepting Jesus as our king, and living according to His plans, is our sure path to true glory and happiness.

The devil knows this too well, and he seduced our first parents to believe that they can be ‘gods’ without God. The same strategy is still employed today, and we are made to think that freedom apart from God is what we need. We are trying to control everything in our lives, boost our egos, and play little gods. Yet, this is the source of our frustration, worries and unhappiness. Only when we die to ourselves and once again allow Jesus to reign in our hearts, we are the freest and authentic.
Live Christ the King!

Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP
photocredit: Daniel Gutko