My Sisters and Brothers:
Today we celebrate the Feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. As I contemplate the meaning of this feast, I am compelled to recall that Jesus is also known as the “Servant King.”
From a Christian perspective, it seems to me that there are very close connections between the ideas of “service” and of “love.” This also compels me to recall that Scripture passage which states: “God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him/her” (see 1 John 4:16b).
It seems to me then that the best way to understand the “kingship” of Jesus is to see that it has everything to do with service to others rooted in the enduring love of our eternal God in heaven! It’s interesting to note that although we acknowledge Jesus as “king,” he tells us in today’s Gospel that “his kingdom does not belong to this world” (see John 18:36). And so it might be good for us on this feast to “think outside of the box” with regards to how we understand Jesus in comparison to the power and authority of earthy kings and other such political leaders.
The most typical images of worldly monarchs and potentates might depict them as wearing flowing purple robes, holding royal scepters in their hands, and as being seated on lofty golden thrones. In fact, there are even many examples of religious art that depict Jesus exactly in such a manner! While this may help us to comprehend Jesus Christ as Lord, as truly divine, and as all-powerful and eternal, understanding his “kingship” from some limited worldly perspective risks missing a much greater idea of who Jesus really and truly is as King of the Universe.
Isn’t it true that genuine and enduring love is more powerful than any type of earthly potentate–whether these things are money, possessions, weapons, prestige, political and/or military power, and etcetera?
When I think of the omnipotence of Jesus, the words love and service seem best to describe what he is for all men and women of all times and places! For many, and in countless manners even in our own personal lives, Jesus has shown us the purest of love, and this love is always made manifest in the way he places himself in service to the human family. Our faith tradition tells us that he did this through his incarnation into the world as one of us, during his life and ministry among us, by his care for and service to the needy and the marginalized, and by embracing his passion and death on the cross. Ultimately, we believe that Jesus serves us and shares with each of us this abiding love of the Father through the glory of his resurrection to new and eternal life.
Therefore, the kingship of the servant Jesus simply has everything to do with the profound and enduring love of God, a reality that will forever be more powerful than any fleeting and worldly assertion of power and control. This eternal love is the same one that motivates our own hearts to be grateful, and it inspires us to love and to serve others. This love is precisely who Jesus Christ is as our Lord and King!
And so my friends, may we swear our allegiance, and be completely dedicated to this enduring love of God! May the love of Jesus Christ, our King, always motivate us to place ourselves lovingly in service to others, especially to those who are most in need!
Praise God! Friar Timothy
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