Solemnity of Christ the King 2024
Last week, King Charles of England celebrated his 76th birthday—not with a lavish party or royal spectacle, but by hosting a surplus food festival.
Instead of focusing on receiving, he used his platform to give back, directing attention to those in need by addressing food waste and hunger.
It was a beautiful example of stewardship, with a king using his influence to serve rather than to be served.
Today, as we approach the feast of Christ the King, this story can help us reflect on what true kingship means.
King Charles’s gesture gives us a glimpse, but Christ’s kingship goes even deeper. Christ is a king who didn’t seek His own glory or personal gain.
Instead, He came to serve, ultimately laying down His life for us. Unlike any earthly king, Christ’s kingdom is rooted not in power, but in truth and sacrificial love.
In our Gospel today, we find Jesus standing before Pilate, who asks Him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”
Jesus responds in a way that challenges Pilate’s view of kingship: “My kingdom does not belong to this world.”
This statement reveals a radical difference between the kingdoms Pilate knew—those upheld by armies and maintained by force—and the kingdom Jesus embodies.
His is a kingdom where true authority is found in compassion, humility, and the gift of oneself for others.
Imagine the scene: here is Jesus, God Himself, standing before an earthly ruler in complete vulnerability. He is without attendants or soldiers, yet He possesses a power far greater than Pilate could ever know.
This King reigns not with a crown of gold but with a crown of thorns, ready to lay down His life to bring us eternal life.
His kingship is a model of radical humility and boundless love, revealing that true greatness lies in serving, in forgiving, and in loving, even when it costs everything.
The feast of Christ the King invites us to see authority through the lens of Jesus and to question the worldly pursuits of power and status.
Just as King Charles used his birthday to address the needs of others, Christ invites us to use our lives to uplift those around us, especially those in need.
But the Gospel takes this idea even further: while King Charles’ act was generous, Christ’s example is total and sacrificial.
As today’s second reading from Revelation reminds us, Christ has made us “a kingdom, priests for His God.”
This means we are not only citizens of His kingdom but also ministers of His love. We are invited to embody this kingdom’s values in the world: to bring mercy where there is judgment, to bring peace where there is conflict, and to be voices of hope for those who feel lost.
So, what does it mean to live as citizens of Christ’s kingdom?
First and foremost, it means listening to His voice. Jesus says, “Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”
To follow Christ means letting His teachings shape our actions, even when they’re difficult. It means standing up for truth and justice, forgiving rather than condemning, and serving others even when it’s inconvenient.
Christ’s kingship redefines power. True power lies not in control or dominance but in compassion and generosity.
Jesus exemplified this from the beginning: He was born not in a palace but in a humble stable, and He did not claim earthly power, even as He could.
His kingship is one that invites us to freedom, showing that the path to true fulfillment is found in giving ourselves for others.
As we honor Christ the King, let us ask ourselves: How can we make His kingdom visible in our lives?
We might begin with small gestures—showing kindness to someone who feels alone, listening to someone who needs a friend, or forgiving someone who has wronged us.
These actions, though they may seem small, are the seeds of His kingdom, rooted in love and self-giving.
Christ’s kingdom reaches across all barriers, uniting people of every nation and language. His love and mercy extend to everyone, and He invites us to carry that same spirit to others.
To be citizens of His kingdom means to be His hands and feet, reflecting His love and sharing His peace with all those we encounter.
Today, as we celebrate Christ the King, we remember that we are not just His subjects but His co-workers, sharing in His mission.
Like King Charles, who used his birthday to serve others, let us look for ways to use our own lives to make Christ’s kingdom known.
Let us be people of truth, compassion, and service, revealing the love of our King through our actions.
For Christ, our King, does not rule from a distance. He is present among us, inviting us to listen to His voice and to live as He lived.
May we follow Him with grateful hearts and open hands, bringing His kingdom of love, truth, and hope into the world.
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