A Different Kind of King

HOMILY: Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus, King of the Universe

Luke 23:35-43

20 November 2022

Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA

A few months ago, one of the most popular monarchs of this Century passed away. You all have heard of her… Queen Elizabeth II! Her son, Charles, will be crowned King in May next year. His coronation is expected to be a fantastic royal event. He will continue to wear expensive clothing, live in palaces, travel in style and be honoured by his subjects. It is nevertheless a very different kingship from that of the King we celebrate in today’s mass. 

Our readings this Sunday shed light on the meaning of the feast we are celebrating. The title of the solemnity, itself, celebrates the power and authority of Christ — “King of the Universe”. What a mighty image! However, our readings, particularly the gospel reinterprets for us the concept of Jesus’ kingship. Jesus is presented as a Crucified King in the gospel passage from Luke. This kingly image of the Crucified Jesus overturns the more common notion of king associated with honour and glory flowing from one’s position of power and authority. Jesus, our King, is hanging nailed to a cross between two criminals. This is far from being a position of reverence and honour. He is rather mocked and derided as He is called, ‘The King of the Jews’. Apart from the terrible physical pain He experiences, Jesus also suffers the worst kinds of indignities as He hangs naked on the cross. The crucifixion account in Luke’s gospel makes us see a King who exercises His authority in reaching out to the other in mercy and salvation. Jesus demonstrates His kingship not by focusing on Himself and saving Himself, but by turning towards others and saving them instead.

The passage from the Second Book of Samuel alludes to two metaphors that further characterises this kingship of Jesus. It was typical of monarchs in the Ancient Near Eastern world to be commonly portrayed as shepherds. There are quite a few passages in the Old Testament where we find the prophets chastising religious and civic leaders who were neglectful of the needs of the people entrusted to their care. We recall, for instance, how the Lord God instructed Ezekiel to prophesy against the “shepherds of Israel”: “Woe to you shepherds of Israel who only take care of yourselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock? You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the flock. You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally. (Ezekiel 34:3-4) Kings have been tasked to secure the well-being of their people, so they take on the character of a shepherd. A shepherd needs to be closely attentive to the well-being of the flock; familiar with their needs and concerns as well as have the readiness to address them accordingly. Jesus, if you recall has the image of a Good Shepherd who cares so much for His flock. He is King also to those who accept and recognise Him as the Saviour King, including the outcasts, those deemed beyond the mercy of God. We know this because at His crucifixion, He reached out to the repentant thief in mercy. 

The other image of the king is that of a commander, or a captain who leads the people by going before them. A good leader rallies the people towards victory over those that threaten their security and peace. Such an ideal leader is not removed from the people, expecting only to be served by them but one who willingly risks his own life so that others may be led to safety. Jesus faces unimaginable suffering and a painful crucifixion in order to save us from the consequence of sin, which is death.  Jesus’ kingship is marked by His self-offering. This the King we hail! He is our leader and commander. Are we willing subjects? 

In recognising Christ as our King, we acknowledge that “We are not the King of the Universe.” This we tend to forget when we think the world revolves around us, or as we sometimes want it to be. Marami pa din sa atin ang naghahari-harian sa kalsada pag nagbabarumbado…. sa mga opisina pagnapupunta sa ulo ang pagka-boss o feeling boss…  sa mga restaurant and stores pag nanghahamak ka ng mga waiters and sales crew… pati na rin sa ating mga bahay. We are actually very small and very powerless compared to the grandeur and immensity of the universe and the Almighty who created it.  If Jesus is our King, then He must be our model of authority and leadership. 

As we celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King, we are called not simply to pay homage to our Eternal King but to do as He did, devoting His life to others to the point of sacrificing His own that others may live. May we pursue our King’s self-giving way in our reaching out to others so that God’s reign may come among us.