Jesus Christ, Universal King
In 1925 Pope Pius XI issued an encyclical Quas Primas as a response to the growing secularism in Europe and throughout the world. There was a sharp rise in the number of non-Christian dictatorships and they often attempted to undermine the authority of the Church and assert their own dangerous principles. Just as the feast of Corpus Christi was instituted when devotion to the Eucharist was at a low point, Pope Pius XI felt that instituting a Feast of Jesus Christ the Universal king would counteract the waning of respect for Christ and the Church.
Today the same distrust of the authority of Christ and His Church exists, it is probably worse! Also, many people baulk at the idea of Christ being portrayed as King or Lord because these titles are often associated with oppressive regimes. But Christ’s Kingdom is one of humility and service. You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to become great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. (Mark 10:42-45, NAB). Pilate said to Jesus, "Are you the King of the Jews?"... Jesus answered, "My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not here." So Pilate said to him, "Then you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say I am a king. (John 18:33b)
There was none of the trappings of Royalty or a monarchy; no gold or silver, no servants or footmen, no army or security, no dignity or respect. Yet the banner said ‘This is the King of the Jews’. Those who crucified Jesus were being smart and politically correct. Many of those who had heard Jesus and seen the wonders that he had done regarded him as a king. The authorities wanted to keep them on side and so they granted them the illusion of regarding this ignominious figure as a king. What difference would it make now? He was gone and perhaps in time his faithful disciples would forget about him! It was mockery, not only of Jesus but also of those who believed in Him. The two who were crucified with Jesus represented and symbolised both those who crucified Jesus and those who still had Faith in Him and placed their trust in his words. One of the criminals repeated the mockery; “Save yourself - and us as well!” He lacked Faith and respect. Jesus did not respond or reply and we know that as he was being mocked He was reaching out in forgiveness and compassion. The other hanging on the cross beside Jesus prayed humbly “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom”. In that short prayer he showed his deep faith and his trust in the promises which had been made by Jesus.
We have come to end of Matthew’s Year in Gospel Readings. Over the past seven weeks we heard Jesus giving many lessons about life in the Christian community to the disciples – about compassion, courage, faith, taking up the cross, dying to self, supporting the erring brother and offering forgiveness. The final section on the Kingdom began when Jesus reached Jerusalem and it is in this context that Jesus develops the theme of the vindication of the Kingdom-People in the Last Judgement. The harvest will see the separation of those who are ready and those who are not, of those who have used their talents and those who have not.
The ultimate criterion of Kingdom-People occurs in today’s gospel. The kingdom of heaven-on-earth essentially means that our love of God is to be shown by attending to the daily needs of others. When Christ comes in final glory, the true Kingdom-People will be vindicated. They will be rewarded, for they noticed the needs of others and came to their help. Those who did not notice or help, will be punished. The response to God is given in the ordinary, everyday affairs of life. We need not even be aware of their eternal value. The Kingdom of heaven is close at hand – as close, in fact as the hand that serves.