Jesus, from the house of king David, is Messiah and King.  To rule with him, we have to stay steadfast to the end. 

There are those who, to rule or to foster their interests, make use of any means.  They even use food as weapon of war or of politics.

And there is no lack of those from the right who use the feast of Christ the King to nurture nostalgia for grandeur. They seek to re-establish the Church in its old position of power and prominence.  Thank goodness, the feast does not call for a return to such past of the Church.  Nor does Jesus’ rule have to do with power over others.

In fact, Christ’s rule is about giving up power, not seizing it.  And though today’s gospel says he is king, he is so as he hangs on the cross.

Of course, those from the left do not stick with the one who hangs with no power on the cross.  For theirs is still the ideology of power, though they say they seek it for the people.

The one, who is against all ideologies of power, chooses to rule from the cross.  He chooses so for the sake of the crucified folks.  He does not save himself.  Rather, he stays on the cross that makes him one with them.

No, the rulers and the soldiers see no royalty at all in the one who hangs on the cross.  They find absurd the inscription, “This is the King of the Jews.” How could he rule when he appears not to have power?

But the “good thief” does not settle for what appears.  For he proclaims out of faith that Jesus is king.  And Jesus, in turn, does not drive away the one who comes to him.  Yes, this criminal stays steadfast to the end.  Hence, he gets to rule with Jesus. 

Lord Jesus, make us steadfast, so that, as the Father brings us into your kingdom, we may rule with you.  Grant us also to grasp that your kingdom is not a kingdom of power and glory.  Rather, it is one of service, love and total self-giving.  And teach us to look, out of faith, at those who are crucified with you, so that we may see you in them (SV.EN XI:26).  Help us, besides, so that our will to give up our bodies and shed our blood for you and for them may be strong.  And make us lowly like Mary.  She is queen, for God has looked with favor on his lowly servant.

23 November 2025
34th Sunday in O.T. (C) – Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
2 Sam 5, 1-3; Col 1, 12-20; Lk 23, 35-43