Today’s feast is about more than a simple festive close to the liturgical year. Pius XI instituted this feast day to remind believers of the need to trust in Christ as the true King of the World and Universe in a time when such belief among the peoples of the world, including Catholics was waning. The year was 1925. Hitler had just published his book, Mein Kampf. Mussolini declared Italy a dictatorship. Mount Rushmore was dedicated. Europe was continually tense and the roaring 20s were in full swing. Morality was going out the window and respect for any kind of authority or leader was at an all time low.
So, the Church, in her wisdom does what any good leader does, She looks around, sees trouble, and says “Let’s party!” What a better way to remind folks of the truths of our faith than to celebrate them. So that’s exactly what we do today. The troubles of the 1920s may have resolved themselves in a sense, but we are plagued with the same difficulties today. While it seemed like Europe was falling apart in 1925, Europe once again seems to be under attack today. While here in the United States we were exulting former great leaders in monuments of stone, so too today our government leaders are often branded with a savior-like title.
Thus, this feast where we are reminded of the universal reign of Jesus Christ, our true and only king, could not have arrived at a better time this year in particular. The recent terrorist attacks we witnessed in France are sobering reminder that there is a lot of evil and danger in our world. but what we recall today is that Christ has conquered the world.
While the idea of a king may be disdainful to our ears because of the evils we have seen carried out by earthly kings, we must recall that Our Heavenly King, Jesus Christ, is the first and finest example of a king who rules through humility, meekness, and self-sacrificial love. That is why we ought to rejoice in his reign. It is not a reign of terror like those we have witnessed for centuries throughout the world, but rather a reign of love, a reign of justice, a reign of peace, a reign of security.
Considering the dangerous waters we have entered in recent years concerning our own religious liberty in our country, we all the more ought to celebrate with joy and openness this feast. Declaring to the world that it is Christ who is in charge, God who rules all, not man. The ease with which we forget that truth is greatly alarming. Therefore, such a reminder as this great solemnity provides is crucial to our living of the Christian life.
Albeit, in our Gospel today, we hear Pilate questioning Jesus, and being left utterly confused. Our Lord professes that his Kingdom is not of this world. However, this does not mean that he has nothing to do with this world or that the kingdoms of earth ought not be subject to him. Rather the contrary! His kingdom contains all that is in the heavens and on earth. All peoples, nations and lands are under his sovereignty. Therefore, we must remember that even in our great nation with our decrees of separation of Church and State, we must never understand this as a license for our rulers and legislators to see themselves as operating completely disconnected from, and not answerable to, the truth and the rule of Almighty God.
Our marching orders should be taken from the encyclical of Pius XI, written on the institution of this feast. The Holy Father tells us: “While nations insult the beloved name of our Redeemer by suppressing all mention of it in their conferences and parliaments, we must all the more loudly proclaim his kingly dignity and power, all the more universally affirm his rights.”
As the King of the Universe, EVERYTHING is under his care and under his dominion. this should bring us not only great joy and encouragement in the face of struggles, but this truth should serve to strengthen our resolve to live our lives as faithful followers of our true leader, Jesus Christ.
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