Thirty-fourth Sunday of the Year: C: The Feast of Christ the King. November 23, 2025

 JESUS THE KING OF THE UNIVERSE

Introduction: Today we celebrate the feast of Christ the King. To be a king in this world would mean immense wealth, unlimited power over his subjects and having a very comfortable life. He sits on a throne and men and women under him obeys his orders. But today, Church puts Christ before us not on a throne, but on the cross hanging between two thieves. Jesus our saviour and Lord has come into the world not to load over us but to lead us to the Kingdom of God : A kingdom of love and service. He is not a king who has come to conquer the world through power but through His forgiving and unconditional love.

First Reading: 2Samuel 5: 1 to 3

Second Reading: Colossians 1: 11 to 20 

Gospel Reading: Luke 23: 35 to 43

   *First reading is from the second book of Samuel. The process and anointing of David as king of Judea is described. The elders of Israel come to Hebron and anoint David, king over Judea.  Later, northern tribes too accept him as their king. Thus the Lord God chooses David as the king of Israel and the people accept him with respect and esteem. David's kingship becomes a pre-figuration of the universal kingship of Christ the Lord

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Colossians. Paul gives thanks to God for having delivered humankind from the dominion of darkness and has brought us to the kingdom of His beloved Son Jesus. Christ is the image of the invisible God and head of the Church. He is also the Lord of all creation. All things in heaven and on earth are created in Him and through Him. Paul affirms the pre-eminence of Christ in the whole of creation. In Him the fullness of God dwells. Hence, Paul gives us a teaching on the kingship of Jesus through His pre-eminent  heavenly nature.

The true identity of Jesus the King                                                          Today's Gospel reading is from St. L uke. An inscription placed above the cross of Jesus reads: "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews." - proclaims the true identity of Jesus. Jesus is the Messiah (the anointed one) and the King. Even as He dies on the cross, He gives consolation and forgiveness to all those around Him. There are many people standing below the cross of Christ: Soldiers, Pharisees and many bystanders who mock and challenge Him saying: "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself." Again, when the thief on His right pleads saying: "Jesus,  remember me when you are in your kingdom," Jesus immediately assures Him a place in paradise. As He is dying on the cross, He calls His beloved mother and the beloved disciple and entrusts His mother to the disciple and tells His mother: "This is your son." -pointing to the disciple. Hence, Jesus final gift to every believer is His mother to be our heavenly mother. Hence, Christ's  Kingdom is a very special Kingdom. He has come not to conquer but to love. He has come not  to have possessions  but to give them away(even His own beloved mother) to us. Thus Jesus is truly the King of our hearts and of our minds. In this context St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta says: "Hungry for love, He looks at you. Thirsty for kindness, He begs you. Naked for loyalty, He hopes in you. Homeless for shelter in your heart, He asks you, Will you be that one to Him?" D. Guzik says: "Rome is gone, Napoleon is gone, Hitler is gone, but the kingdom of Jesus marches on."

 Conclusion: We celebrate the feast of Christ the King on the last Sunday of the liturgical year. We have traveled a long road since the first Sunday of Advent. Christ has been on that road with us as the invisible companion on our journey. Jesus invites us to Kingdom. He has come not to conquer but to love. He has come not to rule but to serve. He has come not to have possessions but to give them away. Let us ask the Lord to accompany us and help us to walk in His path of love and service. Amen.

May the Lord Jesus, the King of the Universe bless you with His heavenly blessings that you may walk in His path of love and service. Amen.

(Kindly note: Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph is available on YouTube. Please view, like, share and subscribe to the video version on YouTube. "YouTube/Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph, November 23, 2025. Thanks.)