Dear Parishioners,

In one of Lloyd C. Douglas' book, 'The Robe', we see Demetrius, the slave pushing his way through the crowd, tying to see who the center of attraction was. He got close enough to look upon the face of Jesus. 'Did you see him?' asked another slave. Demetrius nodded. "Yes". "Is he crazy?" he asked. Demetrius shook his head emphatically, "No". Then he asked him, 'Is he a King?' Demetrius muttered, 'No, not a king.' 'What is he then?' demanded the other slave. "I don't know," mumbled Demetrius, "but He is someone more than a king."

Today, we celebrate the solemnity of Christ the King. The kingdom of God is the center of Jesus' teaching. The phrase "Kingdom of God" occurs 122 times in the Gospels, and 90 of which are on the lips of Jesus. Today's Gospel begins with a query from Pilate: "Are you the king of the Jews?" Ironically, although Pilate has power, it is Jesus who exercises authority over Pilate. It almost seems as if Pilate, not Jesus, is on "trial for truth". The kingdom of Jesus was confined to no time in history such as Pilate knew, but is universal. The kingdom of Jesus was not to provide only convenience and protection, but holiness and grace. It is a kingdom that is to be ruled not by power, but justice, love, peace, and Truth.

'Truth' in John's gospel refers to the kingship of Jesus Himself. This implies that the true believer in Jesus should see and hear, reflect and respond to Christ, the King. Jesus tells Pilate, "I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice." This King is not a commanding monarch. Rather, He is a compassionate Servant-King, who gives hope, forgives sins, and accepts thorns as crown and a cross as throne in a loving act of kingly authority.

In our pluralistic society, it is impossible for us to have a form of government with God as its head. Nevertheless, behind everything must be our wish to acknowledge the kingship of Christ. Jesus and His values must be at the core of our private and public life. And that means not merely sentiments, but by way of principle. We begin the liturgical year with Advent where we eagerly wait for Jesus' coming and end the season proclaiming Christ as our King. May that which happens liturgically, also happen in our lives: we begin with the search for Christ and end with crowning Him as our King. As we celebrate the feast of Christ the King, let us pray: "Jesus, King of kings and Lord of lords, shepherd me beyond my fears, beyond my wants, from false into truth, from darkness into light and from death into life."

God bless us all!

Father Lawrence