From Our Pastor

The solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, is the crown of the liturgical year. Jesus began his public life proclaiming that “the kingdom of God has arrived” and “the kingdom of God is here.” The expression “the kingdom of God” and “the kingdom of heaven” appear 104 times in the Gospels. In the Bible, the God of Israel is often spoken of as the God who reigns, the God who will create a new world in which justice and peace will reign forever.

Pope Pius XI instituted the feast of Christ the King in 1925. World War I created bitterness between nations, and many powerful countries tried to establish supremacy over the rest. The fascist regime in Italy was gaining ground, and Russia was under the rule of Stalin. Nazism was rising in Germany; Spain and Portugal fell into the hands of absolute powers. Amid growing uncertainty, Pope Pius XI wanted to assure the faithful and the world that history belonged to Christ and not to any other self-proclaimed power of this world. The kingdom of Christ has a different origin than any of this world.

From this world comes the kingdoms guided by the impulse to compete, fight, dominate others, and subjugate the weakest. They are the kingdoms of beasts that devour and destroy the weak, the kingdoms of multinationals that control the exploitation of the poor and human trafficking, and that manage global finances. One of the three temptations Jesus encountered in the desert was to start a similar kingdom based on these worldly principles. The evil one had told him: “I will give you all this if you fall down and worship me.” And Jesus rejected this kingship. Jesus has nothing to do with this royalty. Care must be taken when we try to apply the image of a king to Jesus.

Christ the King wants to establish his Kingdom of love, justice, and peace in the world. History teaches us that kingdoms founded on the power of weapons and lies are fragile and, sooner or later, collapse, but the Kingdom of God is founded on love and is rooted in hearts, granting those who receive it peace, freedom, and the fullness of life. We all want peace, freedom, and abundant life. And how is this produced? May Christ the King’s love, mercy, and forgiveness take root in our hearts. Christ the King can give new meaning to our lives, devastated by our errors and sins, as long as we do not follow the logic of the world and its “kings.”

Fr. Lalo Jara, OFM
Pastor, Mission San Luis Rey Parish

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