Scripture Reflection - Catholic Theological Union

The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

November 16, 2016

The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
November 20, 2016

Readings:

First Reading: 2 Samuel 5:1-3
Responsorial Psalm: 122:1-2, 3-4, 4-5
Second Reading: Colossians 1:12-20
Gospel: Luke 23: 35-43

The Church's liturgical year closes by celebrating Christ the King.  Our readings uphold "kingship" -- a form of leadership virtually unknown today. Among the 196 nations of the world, only three are absolute monarchies. Often, this form of governance raises only the specter of unjust subservience and oppression. But our readings clearly direct us to a very different use of power and authority exemplified by Jesus Christ. Our Christian vocation is to emulate Christ's exercise of kingship healing relationships among individuals and nations.

 

In 1925 Pope Pius XI instituted this feast.[i] That period saw the rise of secular dictators in Europe, who asserted authority over the Church. Many Christians lost faith in Christ's authority and the Church's power to continue Christ's mission. Also that year, Mein Kampf was published; Calvin Coolidge became president; a tri-state tornado struck southern Illinois, killing over 1,000 and injuring 3,000; and John Scopes was convicted for teaching about evolution in Tennessee. Amid such chaos, hope for the ordinary person in the pew often ran thin. The great temptation was to succumb and join in the vitriol and power grabs. But Pius XI reminded the world of another way.

 

In today's divided world, there is a growth in populist movements, rooted in the reality that many persons have been "taken for granted and passed over by main stream politics."  Populists are usually members of lower and middle classes who fear losing traditionally secure social, political, or economic status and identity, amid the shifting demographics of globalization and the transition to a "Green Economy."  From the wells of long-suffering desperation, populists' visceral cries demanding restoration of their fragile political dignity and economic security explode into the political landscape.

 

In their vulnerable desperation seeking restored dignity, formerly fair-minded people have readily resorted to excessive assertions of their uniqueness or superiority. They can become blinded to the fact that their domineering and oppressive actions contradict the very dignity they seek to achieve. That kind of devolution is real for many today. They cry: "We are the people" -- not the ruling elites!  Yet, "The people" are usually a group of peers who align with a particular party and its leader, based on tribal, ethnic, nationalist or religious identifiers, claiming utopian superiority over others.

 

The dangers of populism are tendencies to extremes --nationalism, authoritarianism, fascism, and absolutism. Self-righteous populists consider themselves to be above the law, disrespecting the essential balance of power among the legislative, executive, judicial, media and civil society powers. Often populists weaken parliaments, and control the judiciaries, the media, civil society, and academia. Such a lack of civility and civic order is rooted in fear, a lack of freedom, and knowledge.

 

In the Catholic moral tradition, ignorance, passion, force, and fear are called "impediments" or blockages to living a Christian moral life. Ignorance means the simple absence of information; the inability to appreciate and act on the significance of particular pieces of information; or false opinions or prejudice, a sort of counterfeit knowledge, a misunderstanding that actively prevents the acquisition of accurate knowledge. Passion refers to the fact that out-of-control emotions can block good moral judgment. Force refers to actual compulsion from outside the person (e.g. one is held at gunpoint).  These impediments can be overcome with additional effort. 

 

Here is precisely where the role of each Christian and the believing community comes in.  As Christians, if we are to emulate Christ, we need to take all persons seriously, not only those "diverse groups" for an "inclusive society" -- ethnic minorities, migrants, children, women and other "marginalized" − as he did. Clearly, our power and authority to act morally and justly comes from none other than Christ, the King.

 

Significantly, King David took up his power "before the LORD" (2 Sam 5: 3). Though Jesus was taunted to exert royal powers on many occasions, it was only from the seemingly disempowered throne of the cross that he rendered a spectacular demonstration of his kingship, "... today you will be with me in Paradise" (Lk 23:43). These are the powerful words of the One who "delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins" (Col 1:13-14).

 

We need not give in to our impediments.  Instead we can act morally and justly, emboldened by Christ himself, who "is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. ... He is before all things, and in him all things hold together" (Col 1: 15). Today, Jesus our King invites us to measure our use of power against his: Do we serve others or to manipulate? ... build a more just society or secure own interests? ... cause pain to others or help to alleviate it? As we look forward to Advent, let us open ourselves to God's power of love, mercy, compassion, and sense of justice, and then reach out to empower others.

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