The man who hung on the cross next to Jesus asks him to “remember me when you come into your kingdom.”  Of all the people who took part in the crucifixion of Jesus, only this man sincerely acknowledges Jesus as King.  Only he receives the promise of joining Jesus in paradise that very day.  I wonder if he knew what Jesus’ kingdom meant.

The second reading gives us a better idea of the extent of that kingdom.  Paul uses images of things visible and invisible, of dominions, principalities, and powers.  Notice one short phrase that appears six times in that reading: “all things.”  If Christ is King of all things, that includes our possessions.  We might keep that in mind, not only when deciding how much we give to the poor or to the Church, but also how we use the things we own.  The things we watch on TV, the foods we eat, the books we read—all are under Jesus’ kingship.  I might even drive more carefully if I remember that my car belongs to the Lord.

Even our life is under his reign.  That can remind us to trust Jesus more, as well as to ask for the guidance of his Spirit in our decisions.  If we let the Lord guide our lives, we know that anything that happens to us is either God’s will or something that Jesus can lead us through, on our way to paradise.

Tom Schmidt, Diocesan Publications

The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe | USCCB

Our first two readings describe in poetic terms what Christ’s kingdom is like: a priestly kingdom of glory and power that will never end. Pilate wanted to know if Jesus claimed to be a king, or if the Jews who wanted Jesus destroyed were behind the rumors of kingship. Jesus does not deny his kingship; after all, he says his purpose in life is the Truth. If you were reading this in the Bible, you would see Pilate’s response, “What is truth?”

For Jesus (and for us) truth is that God is the source of the universe, the source of all life. Jesus came to show us the truth of God’s love for all people. The divine kingdom is simply the way that we relate to God and each other. We join that kingdom, not by signing a membership list, but by living a life of love: Love for God and for each other.

So why doesn’t Jesus use all that power and glory to make everyone follow him? God asks us to be humble like Jesus. God doesn’t force people to believe. That is another side of Truth: who God is and who we are. If you believe in God, you begin to see God in people who you love, people who need our help. We even see God in the beauty and majesty of creation.

Today Jesus invites us to accept the truth and become members of his kingdom. The tax is what we freely choose to give; the army are those who freely give themselves in service to the poor, the sick, and those who are seeking God. And the laws of this Kingdom are simple—Love God with all your being and love your neighbor as yourself. And that’s the Truth.

Tom Schmidt, Diocesan Publications