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A WORD FROM THE PASTOR
The King Who Walks Beside Us
In our world, kings and rulers are often distant figures-powerful, unreachable, surrounded by protocol. But Christ the King is different. His crown is made of thorns, his throne is a cross, and he reigns not by force but by love.
To celebrate Christ the King is to acknowledge that the One who rules the universe chooses to walk beside us, sit at our table, carry our burdens, and whisper hope into our fears. His kingdom begins not in palaces but in hearts that make room for Him.
His reign is felt whenever you forgive someone, defend the weak, choose what is right, or pray even when it's difficult. Whenever you bring peace where there was anger, or light where there was darkness-Christ reigns.
There was once a parish that had a tradition on the Feast of Christ the King: after Mass, the pastor would place a simple wooden chair at the front of the church and invite people-one by one-to come forward and sit in it for a moment.
A young teenager watched curiously as adults walked up slowly, some with tears in their eyes. When it was his turn, he sat down awkwardly, unsure of what he was supposed to feel.
Then the pastor quietly said, "Imagine Christ sitting beside you on that chair. What would you tell your King?" Suddenly, the boy felt something soften within him. He whispered, "Jesus... I don't know how to follow you well. But I want you to be part of my life. Please guide me."
The pastor asked one more question: "And what do you think your King would say back to you?" The boy felt a warmth in his heart and imagined Jesus smiling: "I already know your struggles, and I already love you. Just walk with me."
He left the chair with a peace he couldn't explain. For the first time, he understood that celebrating Christ the King wasn't about honoring a distant ruler-it was about inviting a loving King into the intimate spaces of his life.
To celebrate Christ the King is to open our hearts and let Jesus lead us-not only in church, but in the ordinary, messy, daily moments of life. It is to proclaim with our actions: "Your kingdom come, Lord-not just in heaven, but in me."
Jesus is the true Emperor of eternity-the King of the Universe. Earthly kings hold power for only a moment, but Christ holds the universe for eternity. Empires rise and fall. Kings come and go. But Jesus-crucified, risen, and reigning-remains.
On this Feast of Christ the King, we are invited to ask ourselves:
Who or what rules my heart?
Is it fear?
Is it anger?
Is it pride or the need to be in control?
Or is it Christ-who reigns with compassion, gentleness, and truth?
In the Service of the Lord,
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