SOLEMNITY OF CHRIST THE KING B
THE KING OF GLORY IN
SIMPLICITY
How do you know that an important
person is arriving? Easy, he comes
in a flashy, bulletproof car, with police escorts clearing the traffic for him,
with bodyguards to protect and shield him. And he doesn’t shake hands with anybody outside of his guest
list. But not all famous people arrive at an appointment like this. Pres. Cory Aquino used to stop at all
the red traffic lights, walk relax in the middle of a crowd and stand in line
at a supermarket cashier to pay for her groceries. Of course, it took some time for people to notice who she
was!
In our first reading (Daniel 7),
the prophet beholds a heavenly spectacle.
The Son of Man comes in glory and majesty. Without mentioning the word king, all the details reveal how
exalted this figure is. Thus, it
is not difficult to take notice and to stand at attention at his arrival. In
the gospel (Jn 18), the same Son of
Man, to whom the first reading really refers, comes to declare his kingship.
But standing before Pilate, he is
hardly recognizable for his innate dignity. Pilate shakes his head in disbelief. Are you really a
king? And look at the Lord Jesus,
haggard and tired from his arrest and full night’s detention, standing before
the governor as an accused prisoner, a man certain of only one thing – death at
the hands of his accusers. I cannot blame Pilate since he is accustomed to
power and to meeting important persons in far more dignified state. Because Jesus appeared to him without
the trappings of might, he failed the test in meeting God face to face, heart
to heart.
Today’s Solemnity of Christ the
King both calls us to be ready to welcome the King of history and of the
universe. One day he will come in
glory at that time known only to the Father. It will come as a surprise but we will not miss it. The heavens and earthly realities will
make sure we notice his coming.
But unlike Pilate, we need to
know that our King comes in surprisingly discreet ways. He comes veiled in simplicity,
familiarity, even in weakness. Are
we sensitive to his many visits in our lives? Perhaps he comes everyday but we fail to recognize him: in the person of our spouses, because
we think they are just nagging; through our parents, whom we dismiss as mere
killjoy; in the words of the priest, who we think is naïve and unknowledgeable
about life; in the advice of our friends who we suspect to be just envious of
our success.
A woman dreamed that Jesus would
visit her. She cleaned the house
and prepared some food. Later that day, children asked to play in front of her
yard and she drove them away, for her visitor was coming. A friend dropped by for conversation
but she sent her home soon because her visitor might come any time. A sick relative called and asked her
when she would be visiting and she said after the important visit. And the whole day while she waited,
Jesus did not appear knocking at her door. In her dream she was angry at the Lord for not showing
up. But Jesus reminded her: I came three times today, in the person
of children, of your friend and of your sick relative. And each time, you put me off.
When the King comes, will we
notice he is standing right in front of us?
VIVA CHRIST THE KING!
LET US PRAY FOR CARDINAL LUIS ANTONIO “CHITO” G. TAGLE OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA, NEW FILIPINO CARDINAL AND YOUNGEST IN THE LATIN RITE OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN THE WHOLE WORLD. MABUHAY KA, CARDINAL TAGLE!
