Papal Words About the Liturgy

Details: 19 November 2010

Christ the King

It was in 1925 that Pope Pius XI instituted the Solemnity of Christ the King and inserted that celebration into the universal liturgical calendar of the Latin Rite. However, in commenting on this feastday, our present Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI noted that its elements are not new but are deep in history. He said, "On the last Sunday of the liturgical year, we celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King, a feast established relatively recently, but which has deep biblical and theological roots. The title "king" designating Jesus is very important in the Gospels and makes possible a complete interpretation of the figure of Jesus and of His mission of salvation. In this regard a progression can be noted. It starts with the expression "king of Israel" and extends to that of "Universal King, Lord of the cosmos and of history," thus exceeding by far the expectations of the Jewish People. It is yet again the mystery of Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection that lies at the heart of this process of the revelation of His kingship."

"When Jesus is hung on the cross, the Jewish priests, scribes, and elders mocked Him, saying, ‘He is the king of Israel. Let Him come down now from the cross and we will believe in Him’ (Matthew 27:42). In fact it is precisely as the Son of God, that Jesus freely gives Himself up to His passion. The cross is the paradoxical sign of His kingship, which consists in the loving will of God the Father in response to the disobedience of sin (John 19:19-22). It is in the very offering of Himself in the sacrifice of expiation that Jesus becomes King of the universe, as He Himself was to declare to the Apostles after the resurrection: ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me’ (Matthew 28:18). Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of a carpenter, is so intrinsically king that the title ‘king’ has actually become His name. The ‘subject’ of the liturgy’s intrinsic beauty is Christ Himself, risen and glorified in the Holy Spirit, Who includes the Church in his work."

Power

The Holy Father goes on to rhetorically ask, "In what does the power of Jesus Christ the King consist? It is not the power of the kings or of the great people of this world. It is rather the divine power to give eternal life, to liberate from evil, to defeat the dominion of death. It is the power of love that can draw good from evil, that can melt a hardened heart, that can bring peace amid the harshest conflict, and kindle hope in the thickest darkness. Jesus Himself is the son of David, the king. God entered mankind in Him and espoused the cause of mankind in Him. If we look closely at this matter we can see that this is the fundamental form of God’s activity regarding humanity. By calling ourselves Christians, we label ourselves as followers of this King, as people who recognize Him as their King."

The Holy Father goes on to draw an important conclusion from those premises, a conclusion that should become more vivid for us each year on the Solemnity of Christ the King. Each human being "must make a choice. Who do I want to follow, God or the evil one, truth or falsehood? Choosing Christ, of course, does not guarantee success according to the world’s criteria, but assures the peace and joy that He alone can give. This is demonstrated in every epoch by the experience of numerous men and women who, in Christ’s name and in the name of truth and justice, are able to oppose the enticements of earthly powers with their different marks, to the point that some sealed their fidelity with martyrdom. The feast of Christ the King is not a feast for those who are subjugated but rather a feast of those who know they are truly free (John 8:32 & 18:37) and are in the hands of the One Who writes straight with crooked lines."

Echo

Pope Benedict XVI, in his writing and speaking about Christ the King, beautifully echoes what his predecessors in the See of Peter had previously declared. Pope Pius XII said, "In the recognition of the royal prerogatives of Christ and in the return of individuals and of society to the law of His truth and His love lies the only way to salvation." The Pope also echoes what many of the Fathers and Doctors of the Church have remarked about our Lord’s kingship. For instance, the old and holy Bishop of Smyrna in the second century, Saint Polycarp, when he was told that he had to revile Jesus or be killed, said, "Eighty-six years I have served Him and He has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King Who has saved me?"

Saint Augustine of Hippo preached, "Christ became our King not to exact tribute, not to equip armies, not to subdue visible foes, but rather that He might rule over men’s souls, counsel them about eternity, and lead to the kingdom of heaven those who would believe in Him, hope in Him, and love Him." Saint Cyril of Alexandria wrote, "Christ has dominion over all creatures, a dominion not seized by violence nor usurped from anyone, but one that is His by His essence and by His nature." Pope Pius XI observed, "Since Jesus unites in His divine Person a total and complete human nature with His eternal divine nature, in what is technically called the hypostatic union, He is not only to be adored as God by angels and men, but He is also to be obeyed and worshipped by angels and men as Man."

Through Scripture

The kingship of Christ is proclaimed throughout the New Testament, beginning with the annunciation, when Gabriel told Mary He was to have the "throne of David His father," and would be "king over the House of Jacob forever" (Luke 1:32-33).

The Magi came looking for "the king of the Jews" (Matthew 2:2). While He walked on earth He was called "the son of David", and the proclamation of His kingship was especially apparent on the first Palm Sunday. On the first Good Friday He explicitly told Pontius Pilate "You have said it. I am a King" (John 18:37). He explained that the beginning of His kingdom was underway in His Church, but the Catholic Church is only the kingdom in embryonic form. Therefore, we, His disciples, must pray daily "Thy kingdom come" (Matthew 6:10).

Our Savior told us that, although His kingdom is "not of this world" (John 18:36), nevertheless its music can and should be heard from that other and better world which is our true homeland and where He reigns seated at the right hand of God the Father.. So that music from heaven can be heard more clearly, we pray and beseech God at Mass on our annual celebration of Christ the King that He will bring about the completeness of His kingdom in our midst, "a kingdom of truth and life, a kingdom of holiness and grace, a kingdom of justice, peace, and love." As we recite in the Creed at our Sunday Masses, based on what He has promised us will happen at end of time: "Of His kingdom there will be no end".