Today is Nov.24, the solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe.
The feast of Christ the King invites us to consider a profound truth: Jesus Christ is the sovereign ruler over all creation, all societies and every human soul. Established by Pope Pius XI in 1925, this feast calls us to recognize Christ’s kingship in a world that increasingly drifts from God, falling into moral confusion and spiritual desolation. As the Church observes this feast each year, she seeks to awaken in us a devotion that reaches beyond private faith to public witness, proclaiming Christ’s sovereignty over every part of life.
The imagery of Christ as King is powerful and expansive, embracing his ultimate authority over both the visible and invisible realms. His kingship is rooted in his divinity and his union with humanity through the Incarnation — a kingship that began in humility in Bethlehem, was challenged and misunderstood throughout his ministry, and was ultimately revealed in the suffering and glory of the cross. As Jesus stood before Pilate, declaring that his kingdom is “not of this world,” he taught us that his reign transcends earthly power and that true authority is found in self-sacrifice.
Christ’s kingship, however, is not merely a spiritual reality detached from the world. A world that ignores or rejects him falls prey to secularism, where values drift, truth is relativized and human dignity is undermined. Secularism is treason against the Author of Life. In our own age, we see how the rejection of God’s authority leads to spiritual impoverishment, a loss of moral grounding and social discord. Christ’s reign offers a remedy for these ills, but it requires our willingness to honor him not only in our private lives but also in our public actions, our workplaces and in our communities.
As we honor Christ the King, we are called to make reparation for a world that denies his rightful authority. When we live in a way that honors Christ’s commandments, when we seek justice, mercy and humility in all our dealings, we bear witness to his reign. He claims his throne by his passion. As Father Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange, O.P. wrote, “Never was he greater or more dignified than during those hours of humiliation and ignominy.” Jesus is King, but he is a suffering king, a crucified king, a redeemer king.
Prayer for the feast of Christ the King:
Almighty ever-living God, whose will is to restore all things in your beloved Son, the King of the universe, grant, we pray, that the whole creation, set free from slavery, may render your majesty service and ceaselessly proclaim your praise. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
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