Christ the King Feast History and Homily

Christ the King Feast is a comparatively recent addition to the church's liturgical calendar. It was introduced by Pope Pius XI in 1925, but why at that time did Pius XI introduce a feast dedicated to Christ the King?History of Christ the King SundayPius XI first encyclical letter had been published a few years earlier in 1922. That encyclical was called in Latin ‘Ubi arcano Dei consilio’ which means ‘When, in the inscrutable designs of God’. It was written just a few years after the end of the First World War. And the Pope then wrote, "Since the close of the great war the nations of the earth have not as yet found true peace" and he goes on to say, "that conditions have become increasingly worse because the fears of the people are being constantly played upon by the ever-present Menace of new wars, likely to be more frightful and destructive than any which have preceded them." How prescient were those words!With the rubble of war still lying about him the Pope begged people to look rather to the peace of Christ in the kingdom of God.

In 1925 Pius XI published a follow-up encyclical establishing the Feast of Christ the King he again wrote about peace and notes that the evil present in the world was due to the fact that the majority of people had thrust Jesus Christ and his holy law out of their lives and he went on to say that as long as individuals and States refused to submit to the rule of our Savior there would be no really hopeful prospect of a lasting peace among nations.What was happening in the world at that time? well recall in 1922 the fascists had seized power in Italy, by 1933 the Nazis had gained absolute power in Germany and some years earlier the Bolsheviks had seized power in Russia. All of those regimes were hostile to God to religion and to the church.Bible Verses for Christ the King FeastThe homily for the Feast of Christ the King. The gospel for this Sunday comes from the Gospel of St Luke chapter 23 verses 35 to 43. With the feast of Christ the King we come to the end of the church's liturgical year.

Homily for Christ the King FeastWith the end of the liturgical year we say farewell to St. Luke but before bidding him farewell let's reflect upon how Luke portrays Christ the King. Now remember that we have a three-yearly cycles of readings. In the lectionary year A is the year of Matthew, year B is the year of Mark but for the Feast of Christ the King and year B we have a guest appearance from the Gospel of St. John and then in year C which today comes to an end we have a reading from the Gospel of St. Luke.

In year A, the year of Matthew we have the king sitting in judgement. Just as the shepherd separates sheep from goats so will the king separate people one from another some will be called to his right others to his left and the verdict is pronounced. It's not a simple matter of good versus evil. In this case it's a matter of doing good or doing nothing. Those who fail to reach out in compassion to their brothers and sisters are turned away. Those who reached out to the very least of their brothers and sisters are welcomed into eternal life.

In year B we have a confrontation between Jesus and Pilate, the Roman governor. It's the centrepiece of the passion story in John's Gospel. It represents a clash of kingdoms. The kingdom of God and the kingdom of Caesar. So Pilate asks are you the King of the Jews. This question shows that Pilate has seen through the ploy of Jesus accusers. He knows that they're bringing him to trial on a political charge. The Romans reserved to themselves the right to appoint client Kings in their empire. To claim that title independently of Rome is tantamount to leading a rebellion and hence, deserving the death penalty.

Jesus replies mine is not a kingdom of this world. Now Jesus isn't saying that his kingdom belongs to a purely spiritual realm. His reference is to its origins. It has come from God. So he isn't talking here about the kingdoms location but about its character, it comes from God not from this world. And it does not come by violence or imperial might. Pilate replies so you are a king then and Jesus replies yes I am a king.

Why is Jesus called Christ the King?So by way of mockery Pilate has the charge for which Jesus is to be executed placed on the cross, Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews. It's written in three languages Hebrew, Greek and Latin.In John's Gospel, Jesus the King reigns not from a throne but from the cross the symbols of his kingship are not crown, orb and sceptre but thorns, nails and cross. This image of Christ crucified is certainly not what a passerby would have witnessed on that first Good Friday. This image portrays a theological truth, Jesus Lord and King although dying on the cross nevertheless reigns triumphantly from the throne of the Cross. He has destroyed the power of sin and death. And the shedding of his blood has set us free.Please click the below link to read further.