Today our Church celebrates the Kingship of Jesus Christ—a kingship that has nothing to do with an earthly understanding of power, might and authority. Pontius Pilate had no real understanding of the power Jesus would wield, nor did he understand what Jesus the Christ was all about. Pilate feared a new king entering his territory who would challenge his word with new decrees or another military.

Jesus’ power—and thus His Kingdom—is based on Truth. Today’s title of the Solemnity, “The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe” takes as the last word in its names the definition of the Roman Catholic Church: Universal. When one looks up the definition of the word “Catholic” you see: The word Catholic literally means “universal,” as in applied to all; with Truth, we understand that the teachings of Jesus Christ, Son of the One, Living God, applies to all peoples in all ages. Even if they do not profess His Truths ( the “Creed”) or even know of His Truths and teachings, they still apply to all.

This Solemnity is fairly “new” to the Catholic Church, beginning in the year 1925 when Pope Pius XI instituted it on the Church’s liturgical calendar. In 1970, it was moved to the last Sunday in Ordinary Time, so it can occur between the dates of 20 November and 26 November each year. It is also commonly referred to in the Church as “Christ the King Sunday.”

In our first reading from Daniel, we hear of the Son of God coming in all His glory—we hear the majesty of His appearance, on clouds, with angels beside Him, and that Christ’s Kingdom will have no end—it is everlasting glory.

In the second reading this weekend, from the Book of Revelation, we hear these powerful words again: “Jesus Christ is the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead and ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, who has made us into a kingdom, priests for his God and Father, to him be glory and power forever and ever. Amen. Behold, he is coming amid the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him. All the peoples of the earth will lament him. Yes. Amen.” “I am the Alpha and the Omega, " says the Lord God, "the one who is and who was and who is to come, the almighty." In His statement, “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” the beginning and the end—is a statement or proclamation of being one-and-for-all for all—universal in being and nature, for all.

The questions we should consider this weekend and beyond are: Will we accept His Truth
for all into our hearts and lives, and so be conformed to He Was, Is, and Shall Ever Be? This will make a big difference in the way we practice (meaning live out our faith) and how we approach the Altar of Living Bread.

Liturgical Trivia for this Solemnity: The Liturgical color is white or gold, flowers are appropriate and selections of liturgical music may resonate throughout the Church. Pope Pius XI, though
he addressed this papal encyclical to his brother bishops, as was the custom of the time, the Holy Father intended the celebration to have an impact on all the laity. If the power given to Christ is to embrace all peoples in every time and place, then no one can be exempt from His Empire, for the power (Truth) of Christ applies to all peoples.