Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
Luke 23:35-43

Today, we come to the end of the liturgical year. The Gospel brings us to Calvary — to a scene that may seem like defeat, but in truth, it is the moment of Christ’s greatest victory. The throne is a cross. The crown is made of thorns. The royal robe is a cloak of mockery. Yet, it is here that we see what true kingship looks like.

The people stand watching. The rulers sneer, the soldiers mock, and above the head of Jesus hangs a sign: “This is the King of the Jews.” They mean it as an insult, but it reveals the deepest truth. This is indeed the King — not the kind the world expects, but the King who reigns by loving, by forgiving, by giving his life completely.

From the beginning of his mission, Jesus was tempted to be a different kind of king — one who would dominate, conquer, and make others serve him. The Evil One whispered: “Take power for yourself. Build your kingdom on fear and control.” But Jesus refused. His kingdom would not be built by violence or pride, but by love and mercy.

And now, as he hangs upon the cross, the same temptation returns. “Save yourself!” they shout. “If you are the King, come down!” Those words echo the same old lie — that power is proven by strength, that victory means self-preservation. But Jesus will not save himself. He has come to save us. His kingship is not about himself, but about others.

At his side are two criminals — one mocks him, the other prays: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” That prayer is the heart of faith. The dying man sees, through the darkness and the pain, the true nature of Christ’s kingship. And Jesus replies with words that still console us today: “Today you will be with me in Paradise.”

Here, at the foot of the cross, we see the kind of King we have — a King who does not destroy his enemies but forgives them, who does not reign with armies but with open arms. His throne is not built on gold or glory, but on love that endures even through death.

Brothers and sisters, to celebrate Christ the King is to ask ourselves: which kingdom do we belong to? The kingdom of power, pride, and fear — or the kingdom of compassion, truth, and mercy?

Christ reigns wherever love triumphs over hatred, wherever forgiveness is stronger than revenge, wherever the poor are lifted up and the broken are healed. This is the reign of God that begins here and now — in every act of love, every gesture of peace, every moment of mercy.

So today, let us look upon the Cross — and see our King. The One who rules not by might, but by mercy. The One who reigns not from a throne of gold, but from a heart that never stops loving. Amen.

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Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica 2025