A Kingdom Like No Other

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

2 Samuel 5:1-3
In those days, all the tribes of Israel came to David in Hebron and said: "Here we are, your bone and your flesh. In days past, when Saul was our king, it was you who led the Israelites out and brought them back. And the LORD said to you, ‘You shall shepherd my people Israel and shall be commander of Israel.’" When all the elders of Israel came to David in Hebron, King David made an agreement with them there before the LORD, and they anointed him king of Israel.

Colossians 1:12-20
Brothers and sisters: Let us give thanks to the Father, who has made you fit to share in the inheritance of the holy ones in light. He delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things were created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he himself might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile all things for him, making peace by the blood of his cross through him, whether those on earth or those in heaven.

Luke 23:35-43
The rulers sneered at Jesus and said, "He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God." Even the soldiers jeered at him. As they approached to offer him wine they called out, "If you are King of the Jews, save yourself." Above him there was an inscription that read, "This is the King of the Jews." Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us." The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, "Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." He replied to him, "Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."

“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Luke 23:43). Like the criminal hanging next to Jesus, the Kingdom of Christ is where we want to be when our earthly journey comes to an end.

Throughout history, kingdoms come and go. They take turn to rise to power and glory, and to fade into insignificance or even destruction. China, India, Egypt, Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome, Germany, Britain – the list goes on and on. Unlike these earthly kingdoms, the Kingdom of Christ is the only one that transcends history and lasts forever. It is presented in Daniel’s prophecy as “a stone hewn from a mountain” that crushed all earthly kingdoms into pieces and achieved eternal dominance (cf. Daniel 2:34).

Unlike all human kingdoms, the Kingdom of Christ “does not belong to this world” (John 18:36). It is ruled by Christ, “the Lord of lords and King of kings” (Revelation 17:14). For this royal Kingship he was born and for this everlasting Dominion he came into the world (cf. John 18:37). Miraculously and without knowing it, Pilate testified to this mystery by putting an inscription that read “Jesus the Nazorean, the King of the Jews” (signified by “INRI” in Latin) on the cross above Jesus (John 19:19). It serves as a constant reminder to everyone who worships Christ and looks at the crucifix: Understand that this suffering servant who was spurned by men is Christ the King! “Because of his affliction he shall see the light in fullness of days; through his suffering, my servant shall justify many, and their guilt he shall bear” (Isaiah 53:11).

What a King! His Kingdom is like no other! Did God do anything else to affirm further Jesus’ amazing Messianic Dynasty? Of course, that’s why reading one (2 Samuel 5:1-3) goes hand in hand with this Sunday’s gospel reading. King David, a righteous and God-fearing man whose rule showcased the most powerful period of Israelite history, was a typological figure used by God to prefigure the coming of Christ the King.

The ascension of Jesus, the New King David, to the throne of the New Davidic Kingdom – the everlasting Kingdom of Christ that is already present in the Catholic Church here on earth – is foretold clearly in Daniels: “I saw One like a son of man coming, on the clouds of heaven; when he reached the Ancient One and was presented before him, he received dominion, glory, and kingship; nations and peoples of every language serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away, his kingship shall not be destroyed” (Daniel 7:13-14).

Edmond Lo

As a Catholic speaker, writer and RCIA Catechist, Edmond is very active in promoting and defending the Catholic faith. He has a MBA, a CPA-CMA, and a MTS (Master of Theological Studies) from U.T., St. Augustine's Seminary. Having worked many years as the CFO of a non-profit organization, he retired at 55 to follow his special vocation of evangelization. The activities he conducts include the CMCC Bible Study Program, the Catechism Revisited Program, the FLL Spiritual Formation Program, Living in the Holy Tradition, RCIA, family groups and retreats, etc. Edmond is a member of the FLL Core Team. He writes Sunday Mass reflections regularly for the weekly FLL NewSpiration. His personal blog: http://elodocuments.blogspot.com/

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