OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST KING OF THE UNIVERSE
Dan 7:13-14; Ps 93
Rev. 1:5-8; Jn 18:33b-37
JESUS’ KINGDOM OF TRUTH
Today we celebrate the last Sunday of the Liturgical year. Every Liturgical year ends with our celebration of our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the universe.
It was added to the liturgical calendar by Pope Pius XI to create the awareness that we can only find true peace when we submit to the kingship of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Our gospel for the celebration is from John 18, where Pilate had an audience with Jesus before condemning him to death. This interaction helped to bring out some characteristics of Jesus’ Kingship.
The first thing is that Jesus’ kingdom has no geographical limitation. When Pilate said “I am not a jew, your own people handed you over to me”, Jesus was quick to indicate that his kingdom is not like what Pilate was serving under. Kingdoms generally cover geographical areas and other areas that pay allegiance to the emperor. But Jesus’ kingdom is unlike any other. It is bigger, greater and more superior. His is not like the Roman Empire but his is the whole Universe. Everything that has existence bears his kingdom. Every heart that beats has the capacity to embrace his reign.
This kingdom of Jesus has no end. It has no end because no earthly power can compete with it. Is your heart beating for this kingdom?
The kingdom of Jesus offers eternal life. If the basic responsibility of a king is to preserve the life of his people, Jesus assures us life beyond this world. He said that he came so that we may have life and have it in abundance (Jn 10:10). Any life that ends on and with this world is a half-life. Eternal life is possible with Jesus alone. This is because Jesus by his death on the cross has defeated death, the last enemy of man. Nothing therefore stands in the way of those who believe in him from enjoying life in its fullness and abundance. No king or leader on Earth can offer us life that is indestructible but Jesus alone.
His kingdom is one of truth. He said to Pilate that he came to testify to the truth. In the gospel according to John, truth refers to living authentic lifestyle. The kingdom of truth rejects violence, hatred, materialism, greed, jealousy and domination. It is a kingdom that promotes love, mercy, kindness and peace. It is a kingdom that stands for the poor and the marginalised.
This kingdom of Christ can only be embraced by “those who are on the side of truth”. We have already mentioned that truth refers to living an authentic lifestyle of love, forgiveness, mercy and peace. To be on the side of truth then is to be ready to embrace such a life. Jesus recognises that not everybody would accept such lifestyle. But his kingdom is open to all those who want to live an authentic lifestyle in truth and in the spirit. Are you ready for the challenge to belong to Jesus’ kingdom?
The kingdom of Jesus is beyond any other Earthly kingdom. It is a kingdom of grace, power and peace. Jesus has overcome all and has total power. All those who submit to his kingship, will have benefits of his power and grace working in their lives because he is “able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,” (Eph 3:20)
The invitation is for all peoples. It is for nations and individuals alike. Until we accept the reign of Jesus we will never know true peace.
I would like to end with the words of Pope Pius “We referred to the chief causes of the difficulties under which mankind was laboring. And We remember saying that these manifold evils in the world were due to the fact that the majority of men had thrust Jesus Christ and his holy law out of their lives; that these had no place either in private affairs or in politics: and we said further, that as long as individuals and states refused to submit to the rule of our Savior, there would be no really hopeful prospect of a lasting peace among nations” (Quas Primas,1925).
Will you accept this invitation to be on the side of truth and to belong to his kingdom?
God bless you.
BY Rev. Fr. Delight Arnold Carbonu
