Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
On this great Solemnity, the Church acclaims Christ’s universal Kingship, yet the Gospel places us at the foot of the Cross—His paradoxical throne.
While the world—rulers and soldiers—mocks Him, they demand a king who saves himself by worldly power. They see only weakness and failure. The inscription, “This is the King of the Jews,” though meant as an insult, proclaims the profound truth. His crown is of thorns, His glory is His self-emptying love, and His triumph is achieved not through force, but through sacrifice.
In this moment of ultimate rejection, as one thief joins the mockery, the other—the Good Thief, Saint Dismas—is given the grace to see the truth. He recognises Christ’s authority even in abject humiliation. With profound faith, he confesses his sin, acknowledges Christ’s innocence, and makes his plea: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He is the first subject of this new Kingdom. Our Lord, exercising His royal authority, immediately dispenses His sovereign mercy: “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
Christ the King does not save us from our crosses, but on our crosses. His power is not in worldly might, but in the forgiveness of sins and the opening of heaven. This feast calls us to reject the world’s definition of power and, like the Good Thief, to look to our Crucified King, confess our sins, and trust in His mercy, which alone can bring us to His eternal Kingdom.
