The feast of Christ the King marks the end of the liturgical year and celebrates Jesus as Lord over all of creation. This feast also proclaims Jesus’ mission to bring God’s reign of justice and peace to the entire world. The kingdom that Jesus will rule is very different from the one that Pilate had in mind in when he asked the questions recorded in this reading. Pilate was unable to see beyond his own ideas and was unable to envision a kingdom not founded on power and suppression of enemies.
As this liturgical year draws to a close, we have an opportunity to reflect on how we have grown and changed as a result of studying the nature of discipleship throughout the Gospel according to Mark.
As Christians, we are always on a journey towards a deeper union with God and in service to our brothers and sisters. With Jesus as our King, who welcomes everyone into the fold regardless of economic or social status, we are to bring about a new vision of God’s kingdom of peace and justice. We are to reach out to the disfranchised, the marginalized, and the unacknowledged.
This feast of Christ the King is a feast of hope for all people. Jesus proclaimed a message of love for everyone. We, as his disciples, are called to do no less.
What are your expectations of a leader? How do those expectations affect your own leadership?
Adapted from Word on the Go, a downloadable resource from RENEW International.