Who is the ruler and king of your life? Is it God, through the second person of the Trinity, King Jesus? Or is something in this earthly life separating you from your true identity as an adopted son or daughter of God (Romans 8:15, Galatians 3:26)?
Remember, when Jesus was asked by the teachers of the law what the greatest commandment was, He responded with a simple yet profound truth: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength, and love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:30-31). This commandment beautifully sums up the totality of God’s law written upon our hearts, and it should remind us of the wisdom and mercy of our King.
In today’s Gospel, we are reminded that our ultimate goal is to be with our King in paradise. Like the penitent sinner who turns to Jesus for mercy, we too must recognize our dependence on our heavenly King as we hang upon the crosses of our own struggles and weaknesses. As we look to Jesus, the source of our salvation, we ask for His mercy and grace, trusting that He is the ruler who leads us to eternal life.
In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus presents the corporal works of mercy, showing us how we are called to attend to the bodily needs of our brothers and sisters. By caring for others—feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, visiting the imprisoned, comforting the sick, and welcoming the stranger—we embody His love and mercy. We cannot enter the Kingdom of God, both here and in the life to come, if we ignore those in need around us.
Jesus, our King, rules over heaven, earth, and the entire universe. If we are to follow Him into the Kingdom and avoid eternal separation from God, we must actively care for others, providing for their basic needs and showing compassion. These acts of mercy may not always be easy, but they are essential.
For instance, as we prepare for the season of Advent, we might consider going through our closets and donating our gently used clothes to charity—not just the things we no longer want, but items that could truly benefit others. We could also donate to a local food pantry or help with a food drive in our community. While we may not personally know anyone in prison, there may be local jail ministries or outreach programs we can support.
Perhaps the hardest work is welcoming the stranger—the outcast, the one on the margins. Jesus calls us to open our hearts and our homes, making room for others in the “inn” of our hearts. If we are to enter His Kingdom, we must practice this kind of radical hospitality and love.
Jesus was born into this world, God incarnate, to walk among us and offer Himself as a living sacrifice for our sins. The question we must ask ourselves is: If Jesus came to earth today, would we recognize Him? Or would we dismiss Him as just another radical or outcast? The challenge is to see His presence in those around us and respond with love and mercy, as He has shown us.
Today the Catholic Church celebrates Jesus Christ as the Lord and King of the Universe—over both heaven and earth. This feast was first established by Pope Pius XI in 1925 to be observed in late October, as a reminder to the world of Christ’s sovereignty amid rising secularism. Later, Pope St. Paul VI moved the celebration to the final Sunday of the liturgical year, immediately before the start of Advent. This placement is fitting, as it highlights the salvific gift our King offers through the incarnation of His Son and prepares our hearts to welcome Christ anew in the Advent season.
It is easy to become absorbed in the limited vision of life on earth and forget our true calling as disciples of Jesus. Life is often messy, filled with strife, anxiety, sin, and the imperfections of a broken world. As we prepare for the upcoming liturgical season of Advent—a penitential time of waiting and hope—we are invited to ready our hearts for the light and majesty that come with the birth of our King, Christ the Lord. This preparation helps us grasp the deeper meaning of today’s solemnity.
Reflecting on the first coming of Jesus as a humble baby born in a manger offers a striking contrast to our typical image of earthly kings. Jesus was not born in a palace or into wealth, but into the humble home of a carpenter from Nazareth and a young woman named Mary. Mary, full of grace and chosen to be the new Ark of the Covenant, was preserved from the stain of sin and honored as the Theotokos—the God-bearer. Her “yes” made room for the King of the Universe to enter the world in simplicity and humility.
This same King faced resistance from the very beginning. Earthly King Herod sought to destroy the infant Jesus in a desperate attempt to preserve his own fragile power—power rooted in fear rather than in the promise of eternal life offered to all in the Kingdom of Heaven. And unlike earthly rulers crowned with gold, our King would one day wear a crown of thorns pressed upon His head. His royal rings were the nails driven into His hands and feet. The ultimate price paid by our King was His own precious blood, poured out for the salvation of all creation. His love is infinite—far beyond any earthly measure or limitation.
Jesus will come again—and the question we must ask ourselves is this: Will we be ready? We are called to prepare our hearts, staying spiritually awake and attentive, so that we may welcome our King when He comes in glory.
On this day, let us humbly and prayerfully reflect on how we can invite Jesus more fully into our lives, allowing Him to be the ruler of our hearts and the very center of our souls. Such reflection may lead us to concrete action—letting go of earthly attachments, possessions, or desires that hinder us from caring for the needs of others in our homes and communities. May we be transformed by the benevolent and loving reign of our King, who desires to bring peace and joy to His chosen people.
As the composer Father Martin B. Hellriegel expressed in his hymn To Jesus Christ, Our Sovereign King, written on the eve of rising darkness in pre–World War II Germany, we are reminded of Christ’s unshakable sovereignty and our call to faithful allegiance to Him alone.
Christ Jesus Victor!
Christ Jesus Ruler!
Christ Jesus, Lord and Redeemer!
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