Christ the King / Reign of Christ

According to the reckoning of the Western liturgical calendar, this Sunday is known as “Reign of Christ” Sunday (also known as “Christ the King”) and is considered the final week in the church’s liturgical calendar. The cycle of lectionary readings begins again the next week with the first Sunday of Advent. This festival was established in 1925 by decree of Pope Pius XI. Originally it took place on the last Sunday in October, just prior to All Saints’ Day. Now it is celebrated on the last Sunday of the Western liturgical year, a week before the season of Advent begins.

The day centers on the crucified and risen Christ, whom God exalted to rule over the whole universe. The celebration of the lordship of Christ thus looks back to Ascension, Easter, and Transfiguration, and points ahead to the appearing in glory of the King of kings and Lord of lords. Christ reigns supreme. Christ’s truth judges falsehood. As the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, Christ is the center of the universe, the ruler of all history, the judge of all people. In Christ all things began, and in Christ all things will be fulfilled. In the end, Christ will triumph over the forces of evil.

Such concepts as these cluster around the affirmation that Christ is King or Christ reigns! When I reflect on the themes of “Reign of Christ” Sunday, the image that comes to my mind is our classic Eastern Orthodox icon of Christ the Pantocrator. The word “Pantocrator” is often translated as “All-powerful,” and prayerfully meditating on this icon evokes a powerful sense of Christ reigning in glory.

As sovereign ruler, Christ calls us to a loyalty that transcends every earthly claim on the human heart. To Christ alone belongs the supreme allegiance in our lives. Christ alone has the right to claim our highest loyalty. The blood of martyrs, past and present, witnesses to this truth. Behold the glory of the eternal Christ! From the beginning of time to its ending, Christ rules above all earthly powers!

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