Christ the King
Sunday, November 24th, is the feast day entitled Christ the King. In all of the gospels Christ refers to himself as a king only once. And this is in the gospel passage we have for this Sunday (John 18 33-37). Pilate, very disturbed by the his enemies false claim that Jesus has referred to himself as a king, asks Jesus if he is the king of the Jews. In a way Jesus says yes and no: He is a king but his Kingdom is not of this world.
On other occasions his followers are so enthused about him that they begin to crowd upon him in order to make him their king. But Jesus somehow disappears and prevents this from happening.
As we reflect on the whole of Jesus life we realized that there was very little that one might consider as kingly or regally. The designation for himself that Jesus seemed to prefer was son of man. Moreover, he forewarned his companions that his role in life, his call, was to serve, not to be served. He also admonished his disciples, when they were worried about prestige and power, that the foremost among them would be the one who serves the others.
Just as Jesus disciples and followers very much needed to hear him say this, so down through the ages his subsequent followers and disciples have needed to hear this and take it to heart.
As I have grappled somewhat with the designation of Jesus as Christ the King, I have come across another title that is for me is perhaps more apropos, It is simply: Christ the Servant King.
A blessed Thanksgiving to you all.
Jim Blumeyer, S.J.
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