2025 Solemnity of Christ the King

Today, the last Sunday of the Church Year, we celebrate the solemn feast of Christ the King. It is one of the most beautiful and meaningful feasts of the year. And today’s readings invite us to meditate and reflect on Christ’s kingship. In the first reading from the first book, or from the second book of Samuel, David’s anointing demonstrates the importance of God’s guidance in leadership.

The people want David to be their king and shepherd. Not because he has a charismatic personality, but because he is close to God. He is the servant of the Lord. And this anticipates the Gospel which calls us to see what kind of king Jesus is. He does not only come from the bloodline of David, which is very important for the Jews at that time, but more important is that his authority is greater than any earthly king. That is why Pilate and other rulers in the time of Jesus were threatened by his authority, by his presence. Jesus demonstrated his power and authority not with dominion, intimidation, bullying, or force, but by love, humble service, and forgiveness.

And so Paul, in his letter to the Colossians in our second reading, challenges us now if there is a person in the world that we should admire, follow, emulate, or sign our membership with, it should be Jesus. Paul gives us a very convincing reason. He says, And if you listen well, the last verse is even more beautiful. Through Him, God chose to reconcile all things to Himself, and through His blood shed on the cross, God gave us peace, peace on earth as well as in heaven. A more serious question that we want to personally ask now as we continue our Mass. What is the kingdom of God? How do we picture God’s kingdom? What is the kingdom of Christ the King? Here is the beautiful explanation given by Gerald Darby, a professor of theology. The kingdom of God is in the past, in the life and work of Jesus of Nazareth.