As Roman Catholics celebrate the Solemnity of the Christ the King tomorrow, November 22, a Church leader highlighted the kind of king that Jesus is – a king who serves.
“Jesus is a different kind of king. A king as we know from history, rules a kingdom, has a throne, a scepter of power, and lives in a very beautiful and grand castle. He is protected and defended by his people. They bow to him, submit themselves to him, and fight to death for him. A king is known to be rich, powerful and has authority of life and death over his subjects,” said Balanga Bishop Ruperto C. Santos.
“But Jesus is not like that kind of a king. His throne is His cross. He rules by serving and saving us. His power is His redeeming love. He is the one who protects us, defends us, and even died for us. His will is to grant us eternal life and so He gives up His own life for our salvation. Jesus is rich in mercy. His power is over sin and death. His authority is to forgive us, to bring us back to the loving arms of the God the Father and reside eternally into His kingdom in Heaven,” Santos said.
The pandemic, the bishop said, made man realize how dependent we are on Jesus.
“With this difficult and devastating time of COVID-19 pandemic, we have come to realize that it is Jesus whom we really need. It is only Jesus who can give hope, help us and heal us. Jesus is the answer to our sufferings and sickness. He comforts us and consoles us from this crisis. Now we see that fame and fortune are not the remedy. Title and position are not the solution to the pandemic. It is Jesus who gives us His healing and helps us to formulate the necessary knowledge to discover the vaccine. Let us submit ourselves to Him. Turn to Him and trust Him,” Santos added.
“As we mark the Solemnity of Christ the King at this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, let us make Jesus rule our life and reign in our hearts. To Him our true King “let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker.”
Meanwhile, today’s Solemnity of Christ the King marks the last Sunday of the Catholic Church’s liturgical year and signals the observance of the following Sunday, November 29, as the First Sunday of Advent.
In all Catholic churches across the country, the Blessed Sacrament will be carried in solemn religious processions, followed by the prayer of benediction and the consecration to Christ the King.
The Act of Reparation and the Act of Dedication to Christ the King will also be prayed during the mass.
At the Christ the King Parish in Greenmeadows, Quezon City, Church rites will start at 4 p.m. with the observance of the Holy Hour of Adoration and the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Benediction rites and a holy mass will be held at 5 p.m. In the morning, Bishop Honesto F. Ongtioco will celebrate the Holy Eucharist at 10 a.m.
The holy masses will be streamed live. Those who want to attend the holy masses at the church are advised to register online to be able to secure seat number assignments as only about 196 persons will be allowed inside the church to observe physical distancing.