After the Israelites entered the promised land, each tribe lived their own way. They had no leader after Joshua died. Then the elders of Israel came to the Prophet Samuel and requested a king to rule over them, as other nations have (1 Samuel 8:5). Samuel was displeased with their request, however, he prayed to the Lord who said: “Grant the people’s every request. It is not you they reject, they are rejecting me as their king.” (1 Samuel 8:6-7). Samuel anointed Saul, the first king of Israel, but he reminded them that “the Lord  your God is your king.” (1 Samuel 12: 12).

When Jesus was brought before Pilate, he said to the crowd, “Shall I crucify your king? The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” (Jn 19:15). The chief priests rejected Jesus’ kingship and claimed to serve a foreign king. We may ask ourselves, “Who is our true King whom we serve?

This last Sunday of the liturgical year, the Church celebrates Christ the King. When Pilate asked Jesus if he was the King of the Jews, Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king... But My My kingdom does not belong to this world...” (Jn 18:36-37). This world is the corporeal world and has its end. But the kingdom of God has no end because it belongs to the incorporeal world, because Christ the King is eternal and everlasting and His Kingdom belongs to all ages. Whoever believes in  Him and follows Him, belongs to His Kingdom. Christ the King reigns with his love and compassion, who came to bring salvation for humankind. Our King feeds us with the bread of life and gives us happiness and eternal life.

“He was King of Israel that He might rules minds , that He might keep us in peace for ever, that He might lead those who believe in Him, who hope in Him, who love Him into the Kingdom of Heaven.” St. Augustine.