This weekend the liturgy is introducing us to the solemnity of Christ the King of the Universe. In this celebration we finish the liturgical year. That means that we will start a new liturgical year this coming weekend. We are moving from year A, which we read the gospel of Matthew, to year B, which we read the gospel of Mark.
This solemnity was instituted by Pope Pius XI in “1925 with his encyclical Quas Primas (“In the first”) to respond to the growing nationalism and secularism”. But, what does it mean that we call Jesus “Christ the King of the Universe”? First, when we call Jesus “the Christ,” we are recognizing that Jesus is the Messiah, the anointed one, the one who was promised by God through the prophets. Jesus is the one who was sent by God to rescue all of us from death. The sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross is the most beautiful proof of God’s love. Second, we call Jesus the King, not only because of the inscription that is on the Cross, INRI (Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum or Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews), but because the kingship of Jesus does not belong to this world (cf. John 18:32), but the Kingdom of Heaven. Third, for this reason, the crown of Jesus is different from any other crown of a king (golden with jewelry).
He has a crown of thorns because with His sacrifice on the Cross, He demonstrated to all the universe that God loves us and can do anything for us. Hence, Jesus is not only our King, but the King of the entire universe because He wants to save all the creation of God. Jesus’ love has no limit.
We need to accept Jesus as our King and allow Him to rule our lives. If we surrender to His power, our lives would be much better. Let us celebrate this solemnity with love and joy, recognizing that Our Lord Jesus Christ is not only the King of the Universe, but also the King and Lord of our lives.
Let us pray:
Take, O Lord, and receive my entire liberty, my memory, my understanding and my whole will. All that I am and all that I possess, thou hast given me: I surrender it all to Thee to be disposed of according to Thy will. Give me only Thy love and Thy grace; with these I will be rich enough and will desire nothing more.
Amen.
(Saint Ignatius Of Loyola: Suscipe)
God bless you, and may the Blessed Virgin Mary be with you always!
Fr. Jorge Ramirez
