The Feast of Christ the King was instituted in 1925 by Pope Pius XI, with the intention of promoting peace, and as an antidote for the rebellion of both individual people and whole states against the authority of Christ. In the aftermath of the suffering of the First World War, Pius XI saw this as the cause of discord, enmities and rivalries. He taught that when people recognise Jesus as their true king and are obedient to his will, as he was obedient to the Father, peace and harmony will come about in the world.
Although the Feast is relatively modern, it has deep scriptural roots. For example, we know Christ is our King because we hear the angel Gabriel say to Mary at the Annunciation: “The Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” (Luke 2: 32-33)

This year the Gospel reading at Mass is John (18: 33-37); in this passage Jesus stands bound as a prisoner before the Roman governor Pontius Pilate and yet declares himself to be a king, saying ‘Yes, I am a king. I was born for this, I came into the world for this: to bear witness to the truth.’ It is because, as he also says, his kingdom is not of this world, that this scene of contradictions can take place. Jesus, the true king, is tried and condemned by Pilate who is ever mindful of his need to appease the Roman Emperor. Jesus is the Truth, Pilate is not even sure whether or not truth exists.

While watching King Charles III’s coronation I was greatly struck when, as part of the rite of the anointing, he was dressed in a simple linen tunic, devoid of all ornamentation and decoration, and without any symbols of his status. This part of the ceremony symbolises how he, and indeed we all, stand before God, separated from all worldly vanity. Just as Jesus stood alone before Pilate, one day we shall stand alone before him for judgement.

We can see in Christ an example for us to follow, he is our king and leader, but he is also humble, which we strive to become. At the same time, we can ponder on the Parousia, when he will come again in splendour, glory and majesty, as foretold in the second reading at Mass (Apocalypse 1: 5-8). Celebrating this is a source of encouragement to us, and prepares us for Advent, when with hope and trust we await his coming.

Click the link below for Pius XI’s encyclical instituting Christ the King
Quas Primas

Sr Thérèse Murphy OSB
Artwork © Dame Werburg Welch OSB (1894-1990)