Today we close the liturgical year with the great Feast of the Solemnity of Christ the King.

The Feast declares the model, the greatness of the meaning of living our faith in daily life.  Christ’s coming and teaching is the greatest gift to our humanity.  Luke gives us the ultimate theology for our understanding of what it means to be a Christian.

The Feast of the Solemnity of the Feast of our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, was established by Pius XI in 1925 and after Vatican II it was placed at the close of the Liturgical year.  Christ kingship is founded on his divine and human natures.  No doubt, the feast is to remind us that Christ ‘fully reveals to us our most high calling’ G&S 22.  

The reading from Samuel dispels any misunderstanding of the word ‘King’.  He is the Good Shepherd who cares for all his flock.

In the letter of St Paul to the Colossians, Paul explains God has created a place for us in the Kingdom of His Son.  In Him ‘we gain our freedom, and our forgiveness of our sin’.  Luke is reminding us of true discipleship.  

The second criminal is in truth and so Jesus rewards him his true destiny.  Jesus rewards the man’s sense of justice, truth, and generosity.  Jesus from the deepest mission of love says ‘today you will be with me in paradise’.

The greatness, the generosity of the Redemptive Love of Jesus fulfils His mission that we may know to be true to oneself and all others in this life.  

How do I live my responsibilities to myself and all others?  How do I seek the good of all?  Today’s Feast calls us to sow love wherever we are.  ‘He is my bridge, my destiny’.  Pope Paul VI Manilla 29/11/1970.

This Feast calls my humanity to reach its life in Him.