The Church celebrates the feast of Christ the King on the last Sunday of the Liturgical Year. This feast invites us to meditate more on leading a Christ-centered life. It also prepares us to enter the season of Advent in a meaningful way. Christ the King feast leads us to welcome the newborn king of Bethlehem. At the same time, the Scripture tells us that Jesus is not a king in the sense of worldly kings.
During the time of the birth of Christ, Augustus Caesar was the Roman Emperor. He was the first emperor of Rome and the Roman Senate declared him Augustus, meaning, the “Revered One”. He was also known as Pontifex Maximus (chief priest) and imperator (commander in chief). But the highest privilege he received was the title Divi Filius (son of god) making him divine. His adopted father Julius Caesar who was assassinated by Marcus Brutus was proclaimed a god. Temples were erected throughout the empire to worship them. The senate also changed the names of the fifth month Mensis Quintilis to July and Mensis Sextilis to August. So, we still remember Julius and Augustus every year when we have these months in our calendar.
If we take a closer look, we realize that Jesus, who was born in a small cave near Bethlehem, was the real owner of all these. Jesus was the Son of God who came down to earth. He was the “revered one” (Augustus). He was also the Pontifex Maximus (the chief priest) who offered his own life for us. Jesus was a different kind of king, and he continues to be our King. Jesus does not have the material power of the kings of this world. But he has the power to liberate us from evil and defeat the dominion of death. If the rule of Augustus was the beginning of “Pax Romana”, the coming of Christ is the beginning of “Pax Humana” – the real peace among humans. It was on the Cross he was ridiculed as the King of the Jews. But the Cross is the paradoxical sign of his love for us. It is in the very offering of himself on the Cross that Jesus becomes King of the universe.
What is the meaning of such a feast today? The celebration of the feast is more significant today as the world around us is attempting to replace God with many created material things. We must examine our conscience based on this feast. Have I replaced Jesus with material wealth, or even with other human beings? If so, we are invited to make Jesus the Lord of our lives. Our Christian life becomes meaningful when we have a personal relationship with the living Christ. This relationship defines our Christian identity. Today, many people need Jesus more than anything in their life. A rich and generous person can provide food and clothing to many people. But we should be able to give something more – the one who gives eternal life – Jesus. The world is in desperate need of Jesus.
As we celebrate this feast, let us all try to establish the Kingdom of God here in our communities. We must transform ourselves into a replica of this king through our love for others, especially those who are weak among us. Our community needs the presence of Christ more than ever. Christ reigns from the Cross and, with his arms open wide, he embraces everyone and draws them into his Kingdom. We are included in that embrace, and let us embrace everyone around us with the love of Christ.
Rev. Dr. Mathew Charthakuzhiyil