THE UNIVERSAL KING

THE UNIVERSAL KING

Today’s words of wisdom reminds us of the end of time by drawing our attention to the last moments of Christ’s earthly life. He was crucified on the cross between two thieves for claming to be a king, yet the only crown he wore was braided with thorns. Over his head was written, ‘Jesus of Nazareth, king of the Jews. Only his mother Mary, and a few friends were faithful to the last. At the moment of his greatest human agony, he welcomed the repentance of the good thief and gave him the personal assurance and guarantee of eternal life. “Today you will be with me in paradise”.
While earthly kings rule from palaces, Christ the king reigns from the cross. His kingdom is not a place, but a people who give their hearts lovingly to him by shaping their lives according to his will. All that is good and elevated in our human nature flows from Calvary where he became the savoir of the world and won for us a life of eternal joy with God. His death on the cross is our signpost to heaven and the road to be followed if we are to make sense of our lives and open up the vision of a new world.
For those of us who have lost sight of the truth that heaven is our last destination, the feast of Christ the king invites us to start living our lives as Jesus taught us to live them. In all we do, we seek to grow more like Christ. He becomes our king only when we give him our allegiance. In practice we often withhold we often withhold that loyalty. How many of us can truthfully say of family life that “Christ is the head of our house, the unforeseen guest at our every meal, and the silent listener to our every conversation”. To recognize Christ as the king our lives may mean a change of heart, like the good thief, and a more honest approach in our way of living. Decisions may have to be made on our part about abandoning the short cuts we have been taking in our daily dealings with others. Selfishness, hatred and injustice must give way to Christ-like attitudes if we are to follow his message.
The kingship of Christ is made real by allowing God to do his work in us and through us. It is a life-long process involving a daily invitation to conversation. He calls us, who are his subjects, to take his side in the struggle of furthering the growth of his kingdom.