Breaking Open the Word

By James Cavanagh

Nov. 21: Solemnity of Christ the King

Scripture readings:

• Samuel 5:1-3
• Psalm 122:1-5
• Colossians 1:12-20
• Luke 23:35-43

 

Overview: 
This Sunday marks the end of the liturgical year.  The Mass celebrates the kingship of Christ.

The first reading is about David who was made king of Israel by the leaders of Hebron. (Hebron is about 20 miles south of Jerusalem). A “man after God’s own heart” (1 Sm 13:14) David represented the ideal king, prefiguring Christ who was to come.  Not long after his anointing God makes a covenant with David saying “Your throne shall be established forever” (1 Sm 7:16). But David’s kingdom didn’t last. After Solomon’s death, the kingdom split in two. A few centuries later Jerusalem was destroyed and the last king of Judah, Zedekiah, was sent into exile. The promise to David seemed lost.

This week’s second reading is a magnificent hymn about Christ who rules over the cosmos, and each individual. The first part of the reading is probably an allusion to baptism through which God has made us “fit to share in the inheritance of the holy ones,” having received “redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” The second part extols Christ as the agent of creation, head of the Church and mediator of our salvation. 

In the Gospel reading the kingship of Christ is demonstrated by the thief on the cross who recognized his imperial status when he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”  The sign on the cross was meant as a warning to all would-be messiahs; that the fate of Jesus would be their fate if they dared cross Rome. In reality, it was prophetic.

Key verse:
“For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things were created through him and for him” (Col 1:16).

“Catechism of the Catholic Church”:  
“The People of God shares in the royal office of Christ. He exercises his kingship by drawing all men to himself through his death and Resurrection. Christ, king and Lord of the universe, made himself the servant of all, for he came ‘not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’ The people of God fulfills its royal dignity by a life in keeping with its vocation to serve with Christ” (No. 786).

Pope Benedict XVI:  
 “A sign stood above the cross of Jesus indicating who he was: King of the Jews, the promised Son of David. Pilate, the unjust judge, became a prophet despite himself. The kingship of Jesus was proclaimed before all the world. He has radically fulfilled the commandment of love; he has completed the offering of himself, and in this way he is now the revelation of the true God, the God who is love. Now we know who God is. Now we know what true kingship is” (“Way of the Cross”).

Life application: 
Each of the readings point to a different aspect of Christ’s kingship. Christ is “King of Israel,” the “King of the Universe” and the king who reigns in the heart of every individual who, like the repentant thief, believes in him. 

James Cavanagh is director of Evangelization and Catechesis for Metro-Area Parishes of the Denver Archdiocese. For information on subscribing to "Breaking Open the Word, click here. For archives click here.