The final Sunday of the Liturgical Year ends on the high note of Christ’s victorious reign: the
Solemnity of Christ the King. Following the celebration of Thanksgiving, how fitting to worship the
One who is Love, Abundance, Mercy, and be reoriented towards the Giver over the gifts.
Let us avoid confusing this title of “King” with worldliness or political ties.
St. Cyril of Alexandria, proclaims the reality of calling Jesus ‘Christ’ or ‘anointed one’ (king) as “He
has dominion over all creatures, a dominion not seized by violence nor usurped, but his by essence
and by nature.” Jesus lived out in his humanity the perfection of all virtue, an ordering of the self.
Christ comes to bring order in us as the Prince of Peace, King of our hearts. This is a fitting title, as
He has been called King throughout Salvation History, from the prophets, the events of the
Incarnation, to the ministry of the Apostles.
Pope Pius XI ( Quas Primas ) encourages us to meditate on what this means for us during this
triumphant feast, “If to Christ our Lord is given all power in heaven and on earth; if all men,
purchased by his precious blood, are by a new right subjected to his dominion:
He must reign in our minds, which should assent with perfect submission and firm belief to revealed truths and to the doctrines of Christ.
He must reign in our wills, which should obey the laws and precepts of God.
He must reign in our hearts, which should spurn natural desires and love God above all things and cleave to him alone.
He must reign in our bodies and in our members, which should serve as instruments for the interior sanctification of our souls.”
Christ is King—the one who knows our need—governs with justice and mercy—comes as healer
and sustainer. Let us invite Him to order the places of our life that we have overlooked—those
rooms of our heart that have become cluttered and hidden. Perhaps it is asking for the grace to
choose rest over productivity or nourishment over fasting. He has already won. May we begin living
in freedom today by claiming the peace of His promise.
As a simple way to reflect this Solemnity tangibly, consider wearing the following to Mass on
Sunday:
White and gold vestments are worn on this day for the purity and glorious reign of Jesus as King. The white also reflects the readings which highlight Jesus as the Good Shepherd through whom we lack nothing and are safe in Him.
Consider velvet and silk garments to emphasize the royal themes of this high feast.
Create a structured outfit that communicates the expectation of Christ bringing order in our life: a blazer, A-line dress, or anything that creates sharp lines in the silhouette.
