Solemnity of Christ the King

On November 23^rd 1927 a priest was led before a firing squad in Mexico City.  Five shots were fired, and he fell, lifeless, to the ground. The priest was Fr. Miguel Agustin Pro, S.J., a man who had committed no crime.  As he was about to be shot, he forgave his executioners, refused a blindfold, stretched his arms out to form a cross and died shouting “VIVA CHRISTO REY!”  Long live Christ the King!  The government prohibited a public funeral, but more than 10,000 faithful people lined the streets shouting “Viva Christo Rey” as his body passed through the city. Pope John Paul II beatified Fr. Pro on September 25, 1988. 

Today’s first reading from Daniel 7:13-14, presents a prophetic image of Christ as King, “all peoples, nations, and languages serve him.  His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away; his kingship shall not be destroyed.”  In today’s gospel, John 18:33-37, Jesus tells Pilate “"My kingdom does not belong to this world.”  The Kingdom over which Christ rules is the Kingdom of Love and sacrifice.  Such a kingdom can never be destroyed.   

Today is the Solemnity of Christ the King. Blessed Miguel Pro’s entire priestly life and ministry was given in service to Christ the King so that Christ’s reign of love can grow in the hearts and minds of all who believe in him. VIVA CHRISTO REY! 

Lord God,

you have anointed Jesus as the Christ -

not to rule a kingdom won by violence

but to bear witness to the truth,

not to reign in arrogance

but to serve in humility,

not to mirror this world's powers

but to inherit a dominion that will not pass away.

Give us enough faith to learn from him

that to serve is to reign,

and that to give our life to our brothers and sisters

is to find a joy and a happiness

that no one can take away from us.

We ask you this in the name of Christ,

our King and Lord for ever and ever.

Amen