Readings for the Solemnity of Christ the King[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 2 Sm 5:1-3
Within the historical books of 1 and 2 Samuel this is one of the most important events. David is crowed King of Israel. From this anointing comes the later promise of a lasting dynasty (2 Sam 7) from which royal messianism is developed. Within the context of the Feast of Christ the King, the theme of kingship reminds us of were the royal messiah, the King had its roots in human understanding.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 122:1-2, 3-4, 4-5
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
This hymn of praise celebrates the unity of the faithful. Jerusalem is the symbol of that unity while King David is its ruler.
Reading II Col 1:12-20
In the first part of this selection St. Paul reminds the Colossians that it is through Christ that we have redemption through the forgiveness of sins. We are given a place in the light through him who is light.
The second part of the reading is a hymn fragment probably familiar to them that reminds them of the Lord’s preeminence (i.e. first-born of all creation, first-born from the dead, all things hold together in him). As his eternal status is reiterated, his kingship over all creation is recalled.
Gospel Lk 23:35-43
Reference is made in this first part of the Gospel to the most grievous charge leveled against Jesus before Pilot. The Sanhedrin told the Proconsul that Jesus had clamed kingship over the Jews in opposition to the rule of Cesar. We recall that at the head of the Cross was a sign that read “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews”. In this part of the Passion from St. Luke’s Gospel we hear the jeering of those in leadership because of what they perceived to be the Christ’s ironic fate. Even one of the two criminals begins to take up the insult but is silenced by the other who seems to understand that the kingdom of Jesus is not of this world, but rather the Kingdom of God.
Reflection:
Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King. It is the last Sunday of the liturgical year. The authors of the Roman Missal who prayerfully assembled the liturgy and readings for our common worship ended the year’s Sunday celebrations on this particular note suggesting that we have been building towards it for a full year. We have recalled the Lord’s nativity in our Advent and Christmas celebrations. We have remembered Christ’s struggle as our own in our Lenten observances. We have rejoiced in the Easter of our year, celebrating once more as Christ’s own resurrection brought us hope and joy. And in these past months we have looked at the life and teaching of Jesus, building our interior faith in him to this point.
Now we are ready. We proclaim Christ as King. He is King in the line of David as we are reminded in the reading from Second Samuel. He is the promise God made to his people that the Messiah would come and rule forever in His kingdom. He was King before all time, first-born of all creation, one with the Father, in him all things are made, as St. Paul reminds the Colossians.
Finally, we are reminded of the cost of that kingship as we visit Christ on the Cross. His human life is ebbing away while the people whom he came to save curse and jeer him. He recalls his Heavenly Kingdom and invites the repentant thief, who represents all of us, to join him in paradise.
The question we must ask ourselves today is “Are we there yet?” Have we been able to internalize all these lessons to the point were Christ is our King? It will show in our attitudes. It will show in our attitudes toward others. Surely a servant of Christ the King would love each person they met as their King commanded. It would show in our attitudes towards “things.” The attitudes of the King's followers would be less concerned with things than building the spirit within them.
Throughout time, great Kings have had loyal subjects who have followed the example of their King. They have worn his livery in battle, they have laid down their lives for him. Are we there yet?
Pax
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The picture used today is “Allegory: Sculpture Working on the King's Bust” by Charles Le Brum, 1670 (est.)
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 2 Sm 5:1-3
Within the historical books of 1 and 2 Samuel this is one of the most important events. David is crowed King of Israel. From this anointing comes the later promise of a lasting dynasty (2 Sam 7) from which royal messianism is developed. Within the context of the Feast of Christ the King, the theme of kingship reminds us of were the royal messiah, the King had its roots in human understanding.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 122:1-2, 3-4, 4-5
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
This hymn of praise celebrates the unity of the faithful. Jerusalem is the symbol of that unity while King David is its ruler.
Reading II Col 1:12-20
In the first part of this selection St. Paul reminds the Colossians that it is through Christ that we have redemption through the forgiveness of sins. We are given a place in the light through him who is light.
The second part of the reading is a hymn fragment probably familiar to them that reminds them of the Lord’s preeminence (i.e. first-born of all creation, first-born from the dead, all things hold together in him). As his eternal status is reiterated, his kingship over all creation is recalled.
Gospel Lk 23:35-43
Reference is made in this first part of the Gospel to the most grievous charge leveled against Jesus before Pilot. The Sanhedrin told the Proconsul that Jesus had clamed kingship over the Jews in opposition to the rule of Cesar. We recall that at the head of the Cross was a sign that read “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews”. In this part of the Passion from St. Luke’s Gospel we hear the jeering of those in leadership because of what they perceived to be the Christ’s ironic fate. Even one of the two criminals begins to take up the insult but is silenced by the other who seems to understand that the kingdom of Jesus is not of this world, but rather the Kingdom of God.
Reflection:
Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King. It is the last Sunday of the liturgical year. The authors of the Roman Missal who prayerfully assembled the liturgy and readings for our common worship ended the year’s Sunday celebrations on this particular note suggesting that we have been building towards it for a full year. We have recalled the Lord’s nativity in our Advent and Christmas celebrations. We have remembered Christ’s struggle as our own in our Lenten observances. We have rejoiced in the Easter of our year, celebrating once more as Christ’s own resurrection brought us hope and joy. And in these past months we have looked at the life and teaching of Jesus, building our interior faith in him to this point.
Now we are ready. We proclaim Christ as King. He is King in the line of David as we are reminded in the reading from Second Samuel. He is the promise God made to his people that the Messiah would come and rule forever in His kingdom. He was King before all time, first-born of all creation, one with the Father, in him all things are made, as St. Paul reminds the Colossians.
Finally, we are reminded of the cost of that kingship as we visit Christ on the Cross. His human life is ebbing away while the people whom he came to save curse and jeer him. He recalls his Heavenly Kingdom and invites the repentant thief, who represents all of us, to join him in paradise.
The question we must ask ourselves today is “Are we there yet?” Have we been able to internalize all these lessons to the point were Christ is our King? It will show in our attitudes. It will show in our attitudes toward others. Surely a servant of Christ the King would love each person they met as their King commanded. It would show in our attitudes towards “things.” The attitudes of the King's followers would be less concerned with things than building the spirit within them.
Throughout time, great Kings have had loyal subjects who have followed the example of their King. They have worn his livery in battle, they have laid down their lives for him. Are we there yet?
Pax
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The picture used today is “Allegory: Sculpture Working on the King's Bust” by Charles Le Brum, 1670 (est.)
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