Pope Benedict XVI in his book Jesus of Nazareth says, “The Kingdom of God is not a thing, it is not a geographical dominion like the worldly kingdoms, but the kingdom of God is a person… The way Jesus speaks about the Kingdom of God, He leads men to realize the overwhelming fact that with Him God Himself is present among us, that He is the presence of God.” Jesus tried to tell this to his contemporaries especially the Scribes and the Pharisees; that the Kingdom of God is already in their midst, that the King of this Kingdom was among them but they did not recognize him.
Theologically, the Kingdom of God is said to be “here but not yet.” It is present among us but its full manifestation is yet to come. The kingdom is here but in its veiled presence. The fullness of which, and the full revelation of which is when Jesus reveals the fullness of His reign in the second coming as Christ the King.
Jesus is also the King of the universe, but only in His 2nd coming will the full extent of His Kingdom, even beyond the universe be revealed. Interestingly, towards the end of His earthly life, a sign on His cross proclaimed Him king in a mock inscription INRI, which means Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum, Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews. His Kingdom is still to come, and in the meantime, we can keep praying the prayers Jesus taught us for the realization of this Kingdom, “Our Father in Heaven, Holy be your Name, Thy KINGDOM come…”
Last week I received an email asking about the church’s role of working longer and harder for the poor as the living temple of the Holy Spirit. The Solemnity of Christ the King actually helps us reflect on the paradox of the church’s apostolate to the poor. Christ is King but He identifies himself mostly with the poor. Mt. 25:35, “For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in…” v. 40, “In so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did it to Me.” In this sense, the whole apostolate to the poor is an apostolate to Jesus, an apostolate to Christ the King.
Jesus’ kingdom and reign must be beyond and above, and be never like any worldly kingdom. If Jesus is to be King now and forever, Jesus is for all - King of Hearts and the King of Love. Sent by the Father’s love, Jesus comes as the fullness of this Divine Love. The main thesis of His teaching is this LOVE. “Love one another as I have loved you.” Jesus then is the expression of God's perfect love for the world.
Next Sunday we enter the season of Advent and then Christmas will be just around the corner. But this early, the Feast of Christ the King is already reminding us to make preparations for a truly and meaningful welcome of the birth of the Savior, the newborn King.
Be in God
Fr. Bing