The feast of Christ the King was established in 1925 by Pope Pius XI to affirm the universal Kingship of Jesus Christ.  Originally celebrated on the last Sunday of October, its significance has evolved over the years, especially after the reforms introduced by the Second Vatican Council. Today, it is observed on the final Sunday of the Liturgical year and is known as the Solemnity of Christ the King of the Universe.

This feast provides us with a special opportunity to reflect on the meaning of Christ’s kingship in our lives. The readings and prayers of this Sunday remind us that Christ reigns not by worldly power or domination but through humility, sacrifice, and loving service. It calls us to examine how we have responded to His reign and to renew our commitment to living under His Kingship.

The liturgy of this feast day of Christ the King invites us to behold Jesus on the cross, exercising His kingship by offering His life for humanity. He is the Son of David who came to bring peace, “the prince of peace” (Isaiah 9:6). The Scriptures remind us that Jesus is “the image of the invisible God,” the firstborn of all creation, and the firstborn from the dead. Through His suffering and death, He has attained primacy over all things, reconciling all of creation to the Father through His blood on the cross.

The psalmist declares, “The Lord is King” (Psalm 24:7-10), and the prophet Daniel proclaims that God has given authority to a “Son of Man” (Daniel 7:13-14). The visionary of Revelation speaks of Christ as the ruler of the earth and universe, while Jesus Himself states in the Gospel of John, “My kingship does not come from this world” (John 18:36). His reign is divine, spiritual, and eternal, not of this world, yet present among us.

Today, we are called to worship Christ, the King of the Universe, who bears witness to the truth (John 18:37) and refines our understanding of true power and authority. We give thanks with all creation for the mystery of His kingship, revealed through His humility, love, and sacrifice that span the entire liturgical year. As Philippians 2:8-11 reminds us, “And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross! Therefore, God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name.”

We also take this time to ask for forgiveness if we failed to keep Christ at the center of our lives during the past liturgical year. As 1 John 1:9 assures us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

This is a moment to reflect on the times we could have been better Christians, better brothers and sisters. The times we could have invested more time in prayer, especially in front of the Blessed Sacrament. When was the last time you spent time with Him, heart to heart, one-on-one? Jesus invites us in Revelation 3:20, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, [then] I will enter his house and dine with him, and he with me.”

Let us strive to renew our relationship with Him, listening and talking to Him in prayer, and allowing His love to transform us anew. Let us dedicate ourselves to his teaching, allowing the celebration of His kingship to inspire us to recognize His power, serve His purpose, and glorify Him always. As we honor Christ today, may our lives reflect His reign of love and truth, and may we strive to bring His peace to the world around us.



May Christ our King reign in our hearts and in our world, now and forever. Amen.