It is most fitting that the last Sunday of the year will be dedicated to the celebration of Christ as King of the world and the universe because being at the end of the year, we should recall the Alpha and the Omega of our very existence. The events narrated in the first reading (2 Sam 5:1-3) recalls the unification of Israel under one head; David. After the division of Israel into two kingdoms (1 Kgs 12), this royal kingdom of David will remain a nostalgic longing for the people of Israel, to the point that it was in a way associated with their messianic hopes of a future King who would come from the house of David (2 Sam 7:1-17). The coming of Christ represents a fulfilment of this prophecy and he becomes the King of the new Israel united through faith in his person. This new Israel will be formed no longer by flesh or biological lineage but by faith in Christ Jesus (Cf. Rm 4:1-12).
The question, however that remains is; what kind of king is Jesus? Truly he is the son of God clothed with immense power and glory. But he teaches us another way of wielding that power. Jesus teaches us a new way of being powerful. Instead of making everyone feel the full weight of his dominion, he chose to climb the cross for our salvation (Luke 23). The sign “This is the King of the Jews”, was mockingly put up on his cross but that mocking sign became a powerful message from the pulpit of the cross. For Christ says to us; “though I am powerful and glorious, I have decided to empty myself before you in this manner”. That message which proclaimed him king, also proclaimed with the image of the cross, the kind of king he chose to be. This is a call on all of us who think that a brandishing of worldly power and influence is something to glory in, to change and adopt a different way of being powerful. To show power through love lived out in sacrifice. May the example of Christ instruct us and bring the world into accepting that love is the greatest kind of power we can have and the best way of ruling mens’ hearts. Have a great week and a great new liturgical year.