Christ the King

The Solemnity of Christ the King is celebrated on the last Sunday of the Liturgical Year. It’s a day to honor our Savior as King, who leads us with love, kindness and compassion, unlike many other ruthless Kings and Emperors who lead with tyranny, oppression and cruelty, many of whom were deposed by their own people. The image of Christ the King has always been presented to us as if sitting on a glittering throne, with a scepter in hand and golden crown on his head. In actual fact, his throne was the cross on which he was crucified, the scepter were the nails driven through his hands and feet, and the crown was made of sharp thorns that were pushed on his head. The feast of Christ the King as we know it now was introduced in 1925, 99 years ago, to counteract the start of Communism in the world. The Bolshevik Revolution of 1917 had taken the presence of Christ from the hearts of people, and the Church wanted to bring Him back into the center of their lives. The feast was celebrated on the last Sunday in October until 1969, when Pope Paul VI shifted this feast to the last Sunday of the Liturgical Year, usually towards the end of November. Next year of course we’ll celebrate its centennial, with great celebrations around the Christian world. Christus Vincit, Christus Regnat, Christus Imperat (Christ will win, Christ will reign, Christ will rule.) 

The above painting is by Irene Thomas. Christ is the King of Creation and the universe, represented by the starry background as well as the angelic, invisible world. The painting shows Him seated on a throne of angels. Upon His robe is painted every flag of today’s world, because Christ is the king of all past, present and future nations. The second photo shows even the flag of Malta in the center, on the left side of His robe. The US flag is also visible. (click to enlarge both photos)