Today is the final Sunday in the church calendar year. Next week, with the start of the Advent season, we will begin a new journey through the liturgical calendar.
But before we get to that, we are invited to end the liturgical year by celebrating Christ the King Sunday. With a name like "Christ the King" it can seem like the focus will be all about majesty and triumph, but the history of this Festival Sunday tells a very different story.
The feast of Christ the King was first established in 1925 by Pope Pius XI. The world had just endured the First World War, and political movements built on fear and nationalism were on the rise. The Church wanted to remind people that true authority does not reside in armies or governments, but rather in Christ. Christ is our King, not any other earthly authority.
In the readings for this day, we often hear about Jesus’ reign. These stories paint a clear picture of the ways that Christ's reign vastly differs from that of typical worldly rulers. Instead of a throne of gold, Christ rules from the cross. Instead of issuing commands, he forgives those who harm him. Instead of demanding allegiance, he invites his disciples to follow him into lives of mercy, justice, and compassion.
Christ the King Sunday reminds us that God’s kingdom doesn’t look like the kingdoms of this world. It’s a reign marked by by a power that restores rather than conquers.
As we close another church year and look toward Advent, it’s worth asking:
Dear Jesus Christ,
Be our King this day and always. Guide us in your ways of love that we might make your kingdom be seen on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.
But before we get to that, we are invited to end the liturgical year by celebrating Christ the King Sunday. With a name like "Christ the King" it can seem like the focus will be all about majesty and triumph, but the history of this Festival Sunday tells a very different story.
The feast of Christ the King was first established in 1925 by Pope Pius XI. The world had just endured the First World War, and political movements built on fear and nationalism were on the rise. The Church wanted to remind people that true authority does not reside in armies or governments, but rather in Christ. Christ is our King, not any other earthly authority.
In the readings for this day, we often hear about Jesus’ reign. These stories paint a clear picture of the ways that Christ's reign vastly differs from that of typical worldly rulers. Instead of a throne of gold, Christ rules from the cross. Instead of issuing commands, he forgives those who harm him. Instead of demanding allegiance, he invites his disciples to follow him into lives of mercy, justice, and compassion.
Christ the King Sunday reminds us that God’s kingdom doesn’t look like the kingdoms of this world. It’s a reign marked by by a power that restores rather than conquers.
As we close another church year and look toward Advent, it’s worth asking:
- What lesser "kings" am I still chasing? Success? Control? Comfort?
- What would it mean for Christ’s way of love to take the throne in my heart?
Dear Jesus Christ,
Be our King this day and always. Guide us in your ways of love that we might make your kingdom be seen on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.
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