Today
is the last Sunday of the Church year. The seasons and feasts of the Church
year enable us to enter-into the good news of the kingdom of God, and they
culminate in the Feast of Christ the King: where we glimpse Christ enthroned
over the Universe, reigning forever in justice and peace; and where we are
empowered to live as citizens of that kingdom, to relate to others justly and
peaceably, as if the is-to-come was already here.
In
the heavenly courtroom, Daniel sees God, the Ancient One, take his throne as
judge. He does not pass judgement unilaterally, but in conference with others,
also sat on judgement thrones, while countless angelic beings serve the court
in other roles. The defendant is brought in – one like a human being;
traditionally, son of man; that is, a symbolic representative of humanity in
general and of the people of God in particular [Daniel 7:27]. The case for the prosecution and the case for the
defence are, presumably, heard; and at last the Ancient One passes down the
judgement of the court: reign with me, over everything, for ever.
John
also depicts a courtroom scene, in which Jesus is summoned to stand trial
before Pilate. The matter to be decided is whether or not Jesus is king. Jesus
testifies to belonging to a kingdom not of this world, though he himself makes
no open claim to kingship over it. Instead he claims to testify to the truth, and
to be credited with authority by those who belong to the truth.
It would appear to be the trial of Jesus before Pilate; but
really it is the trial of Jesus before God and before the listener (remember
those other thrones?). It would appear that the accusation is brought by the
representatives of God’s people; but really they speak as representatives of
the kingdoms of the world. The son of man is Jesus; but Jesus as true
representative of God’s people; really, Jesus and his servants, those he now
calls his friends. And God passes the verdict of those sat on the thrones: be
glorified (that is, lifted up on the cross).
The Feast of Christ the King was instituted in 1925 by Pope
Pius XI, in order to help Christians live out their allegiance to Christ in the
context of Mussolini’s messianic claims to power. Ninety years on, we live in
days that are no less dangerous; days in which terrorists and political leaders
alike claim the right to pass judgement, elevating themselves and subjugating
others. Days in which we are pressed to declare, where does our allegiance lie?
As a citizen of the United Kingdom? Of the West? Wider, of the world? Or, first
and foremost, not of this world?
Not of this world does not mean, not
interested. The reign of Christ the King is not of some other realm;
rather, in Christ heaven and earth, God and humanity, are reconciled. Not of this world means, not conforming
to the pattern of this world, where violence gives birth to violence. In the
kingdom over which Jesus reigns – in which we are invited to sit on the throne
with him [Ephesians 2:6; Revelation 3:21] – forgiveness gives
birth to forgiveness, justice gives birth to justice, peace gives birth to
peace.
Today is the Feast of Christ the King. Eat and drink of him
who stood trial for us and for all, on whom the Ancient one has passed
judgement. Then go and celebrate by acting justly, showing mercy, and walking
humbly with your God.
No comments:
Post a Comment