Brethren, if you recall that when our Lord was crucified on
the cross, not only did he suffer physical pain, but the Gospels captured the
mockery and insults that were hurled at him from the crowd.
It is as if it wasn’t enough just to have him scourged, and have
him carry the cross through the streets of Jerusalem, while wearing a crown
made out of thorns, and have him crucified.
Those things did not satisfy the crowd.
When Pontius Pilate had a sign hanging on the cross, it said: “Jesus of
Nazareth, King of the Jews written in three languages: Hebrew, Greek and Latin,”
the crowd did not agree and said: “Write that this man CLAIMS that he is the King
of the Jews.” But Pontius Pilate said: “What
I have written, I have written.”
After the soldiers had stripped Jesus of his clothing, and
wrapped him in a scarlet military cloak, they made a crown of thorns and placed
it on his head, then took a reed and struck his right hand. They mocked him and said: “All hail, King of
the Jews!” In addition, they spat on
him. They refer to him as king, but didn’t
really mean it.
When Jesus was on the cross, the crowd continued to insult him with statements such as: “This man says that if we destroy the temple, he can rebuild it in three days.” “Come down off that cross if you are God’s son.” Others from the crows continued the mockery: “He saved others, but he cannot save himself.” Then the chief priests and elders also joined in and said: “So he is the King of Israel! Let’s see him come down from that cross and then we will believe in him.” Still others said: “He relied on God, let God rescue him now if he wants to; after all, he claimed: “I am God’s son.” They still kept taunting him all the more.
Although Pontius Pilate, and the crowds were referring to
Jesus as the King, they didn’t really mean it.
But today, when we proclaim Christus Rex (Christ the King), we do mean
it.
Today, the Church throughout the world celebrates the moveable Feast Christus Rex, Jesus Christ the King. It is the Last Sunday of the Liturgical Year before we enter into the Holy Season of Advent. The conclusion of the Liturgical Year with Christ the King allows us to renew our commitment to Jesus and welcome him as the King who reigns in our hearts. This king does not rule with domination like Alexander the Great subduing countries to increase his power and gain. This king does not turn his people into slaves the Pharaoah of Egypt. This King does not displace people from their homeland like the Babylonian King. This King does not force people to worship other god than the true God, the Father in Heaven. This King is different because he came to bring salvation. His cross is his throne, and his crown is made up of thorns. He is not only fully human, but fully divine. He is the beloved Son of God. Jesus is Christ the King.
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