Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe - Year C - Christ the King & “To Jesus Christ Our Sovereign King”

Friends, as we travelled with Luke week by week, the Liturgy has been preparing us for the revelation to be made on this, the last Sunday of the Church year. Jesus, we have been shown, is truly the Chosen One, the Messiah of God, the King of the Jews.

Ironically, in this weekend’s Gospel (Luke 23-35-43) we hear these names on the lips of those who don’t believe in Him—Israel’s rulers, the soldiers, a criminal dying alongside Him. They can only see the scandal of a bloodied figure nailed to a cross. They scorn Him in words and gestures foretold in Israel’s Scriptures. If He is truly King, God will rescue Him, they taunt. But He did not come to save Himself, but to save them—and us.

The good thief shows us how we are to accept the salvation Jesus offers us. He confesses his sins and he calls on the name of Jesus, seeking His mercy and forgiveness. By his faith he is saved. Jesus “remembers” him—as God has always remembered His people, visiting them with His saving deeds, numbering them among His chosen heirs. By the blood of His cross, Jesus reveals His Kingship—not in saving His own life, but in offering it as a ransom for ours. He transfers us to “the kingdom of His beloved Son,” as today’s second reading tells us. His kingdom is the Church, the new Jerusalem and House of David that we sing of in this weekend’s Psalm.

By their covenant with David in today’s First Reading, Israel’s tribes are made one “bone and flesh” with their king. By the New Covenant made in His blood, Christ becomes one flesh with the people of His kingdom—the head of His body, the Church. We celebrate and renew this covenant at every Mass, giving thanks for our redemption, hoping for the day when we too will be with Him in Paradise.

In honor of the readings this weekend, we would like to share our latest video, “To Jesus Christ, Our Sovereign King”, written by Fr. Martin B. Hellriegel as a bold confession that Christ alone is King and the world’s true salvation, even amid political turmoil and war. The text is set to the tune ICH GLAUB AN GOTT, a 19th‑century German melody that gives the hymn a strong, processional character suitable for solemn liturgical celebrations such as the Feast of Christ the King.

Video can be watched by clicking here or by clicking on the thumbnail below.