Today is the last Sunday of the Pentecost Season. Next Sunday, we begin the liturgical season of Advent. So, today is literally the ‘New Year’s Eve’ of the Church. Happy New Year!!!
This day is known among the Catholic and mainline Christian churches as “Christ the King Sunday,” or, to use the more modern parlance, “Reign of Christ Sunday.” The history behind the institution of Christ the King Sunday goes back to 1925, when dictators and nationalists seized the world and Pope Pius XI instituted Christ the King Sunday to refocus Christians and remind them of why we are here on earth. He wanted them to take their minds off dictators and nationalism and to be icons of God’s love in this world.
The scripture passages and the entire theme of this Sunday point unmistakably to Christ as not an “ordinary” king; he is not merely the King of the Jews, as his accusers claimed in the gospel of Luke. His kingship transcends worldly titles and expectations, divine sovereignty, unmatched and everlasting. And Pope Pius wanted to remind Christians then and now, that if they truly claim Jesus as their King, then they are no ordinary subjects, and as offspring of the King, their lives must reflect Christ’s unique kingship—one defined by justice, wisdom, and compassion.
In other words, to follow Christ the King is to live differently, embracing the call to be part of God’s eternal purpose.
In the Old Testament reading, to better understand Christ’s position in relation to the prophecy of Jeremiah, we must bear in mind that he was addressing specific people. And he consistently used the term “shepherd” - a metaphor for leaders, prophets, priests, and kings—whom God has appointed to guide, protect, and care for God’s people. Jeremiah aimed to highlight what faithful spiritual leadership should look like, especially when contrasted with the corrupt rulers who previously failed Israel.
And we hear God’s warnings – “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep. … woe to you who have driven them away and have not attended to them”. And God firmly declares, “I will attend to you for your evil doings” (Jeremiah 23:1-6).
God didn’t stop there. God assured them of eternal salvation; God will raise a Shepherd from a righteous Branch - from the line of David. This Shepherd shall gather them, and none shall be missing; they shall fear no more.”
So, this shepherd that God will raise must have certain qualities.
Jesus described himself as the “True Vine” and also “the Good Shepherd.” The image of the One who is from the line of David, the one who is to gather his flock; the One who Saves, the One who came to seek mercy and justice for his people.
All these elements come together when we reflect on Jesus’ ministry. In Luke’s gospel narrative, we see a profound irony in the understanding of the Kingship of our Lord Jesus Christ by his persecutors. At The Skull, his persecutors overlooked his amazing qualities; his ministry of teaching, gathering, feeding, healing, and comforting the broken-hearted. Rather, they rejected him and placed the inscription “King of the Jews”, intending to ridicule him. Yet, in their mockery, they inadvertently affirmed the truth of Jeremiah’s prophecy: the long-awaited Shepherd that God raised is indeed Christ the King. God has fulfilled his prophecy; God has visited his people.
With a spirit-filled heart, Zechariah also proclaimed the fulfillment of that prophecy. “God’s compassion has caused the dawn to break and a light to shine on those who live in darkness – those who are oppressed – those with no status (Luke 1:68-79). The prophesied Messiah has come.
Zechariah blesses God for the fulfillment of the prophecy of deliverance from “their enemies” – namely, the Romans. While that’s true, it’s the superficial meaning of the prophecy. The deeper meaning of the prophecy points to deliverance from humanity’s greatest foes -sin and everlasting death.
But Jesus Christ the King came, already destined to carry a cross, not because he deserved it, but because the Good Shepherd came to gather us - we were lost.
The attempt to discredit Jesus is met by the Spirit of God, who enabled the second criminal alongside him to see beyond the mockery. In his final moments, this condemned thief, this sinner, repents and pleads, “Remember me when you come into your kingdom." And Jesus’ invitation of this thief into Paradise stands as a testimony of the fulfillment of Jeremiah’s vision of a “Good Shepherd” who loses none of his flock.
It is not enough to acknowledge Jesus’ sacrifice without actively choosing the values for which he gave his life. Jesus embraced forgiveness instead of harboring resentment; he stood for truth rather than settling for convenience. If we embody these principles, we become his true followers; and if we don’t, our identity as God’s people holds little meaning.
Very often, we wonder why we hear such a morbid gospel just before we begin Advent. The theologians who selected the passion story alongside the other scriptures at this time of the season want to remind us that the cross was not the end of Jesus’ life; it is not the end of the gospel. The story was just the beginning of the Kingship of the Resurrected Christ. It’s the meticulous beginning of the Good News of the Kingdom open to all of us here and now and in the age to come, and it is the fulfillment of prophecies over centuries, which reflect God’s sovereignty (Isaiah 49:6).
Even so, Lord quickly, come
To thy final harvest and gather Thou thy people,
Free from sorrow free from sin.
There, forever purified in Thy presence to abide, with all thine angels
Come, raise the glorious harvest home. (Hymn 290)
May God grant that all peoples of this earth, so divided and so enslaved by sin, may be freed and
brought together under this most gracious rule of Christ the King. Amen!
I wish you and your families a very blessed, safe, and Happy Thanksgiving!