Christ the King Sunday

This coming Sunday has come to be known as “Christ the King Sunday” in liturgical churches.  It is the last Sunday before the Advent season.  Unlike many parts of the church year, Christ the King Sunday is relatively new.  It was instituted in 1925 by Pope Pius XI.  It was his response to two things that were happening in the world.  First, life was growing more secular.  More people were beginning to doubt the deity of Christ.  This day was instituted to help restore people’s faith in Christ as the Son of God.  Second, dictatorships were on the rise in Europe.  Several years later World War II would begin.  Christ the King Sunday was a bold statement that Jesus was the true ruler of the world.

As we move toward this Sunday, Pope Pius XI’s observation remains valid.  Secularism has continued to rise.  There are tyrants in different parts of the world.  Even our own politicians make grand claims.  But Jesus stands above the fray, fully God and fully King of the world.  With all the uncertainty in the world today, the reality that Christ is the King is something worth celebrating.