Happy New Year! Happy New Liturgical Year of the Church!
This 2024, we will end the liturgical calendar on November 24, the feast of Christ the King of the Universe, simply known as “Christ the King.” The feast was instituted by Pope Pius XI in 1925, in his encyclical Quas Primas, to remind us of Christ’s eternal reign as King of the universe.
Some of us may be wondering: Why do we end the church’s liturgical calendar on this feast? What is the significance of this celebration to our faith today?
The liturgical calendar can be likened to your favorite “TV series.” Only this series is of the highest importance as we commemorate the salvation history. The calendar culminates in the feast of Christ the King and teaches us to reflect towards the kingship of the Lord.
For us to appreciate this celebration, let us unveil the beauty of our liturgical calendar timeline.
We begin with Advent, and we anticipate the coming of a KING. As Isaiah prophesied:
6 For a Child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
7 There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace
On the throne of David and over his kingdom,
To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness
From then on and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of armies will accomplish this.
Isaiah 9:6-7 (New American Standard Bible)
Then we celebrate Christmas, which begins on Christmas Eve and ends on the feast of baptism of the Lord. After which, we enter the first ordinary time.
And comes Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Thursday. On this phase of Christ’s ministry, we are introduced to the KING of the Jews. In the gospel of John, it says,
37 Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?”
Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this purpose,
I have been born, and for this I have come into the world: to testify to the truth.
Everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice.”
John 18:37 (New American Standard Bible)
We were given a King who wore a crown of thorns instead of a royal gold crown, even though he is God, he took flesh to save us (Philippians 2:6-11). After Lent, the Easter Triduum begins; it commemorates the passion, death, and resurrection of our Lord and King, Jesus Christ. A seven-week period will commence after Easter called Eastertide and ends on Pentecost.
Second Ordinary Time begins until the 34th or last Sunday of Ordinary Time—the Feast of Christ the King—this feast was placed at the end of the liturgical year to focus on the sovereignty of Christ over all creation and ultimately—our life. The kingdom of God was Jesus’ highlight in all of His preaching, 90 instances on the bible by Christ.
13 During this vision in the night, I saw what looked like a human being. He was approaching me, surrounded by clouds, and he went to the one who had been living forever and was presented to him. 14 He was given authority, honor, and royal power, so that the people of all nations, races, and languages would serve him. His authority would last forever, and His kingdom would never end.
Daniel 7:13-14 (Good News Translation)
Our calendar culminates on this feast to remind us to reflect on all of the teachings and fruits of contemplation we learned from advent up to the last Sunday of the liturgical calendar. We must put into action our realization in living the gospel truth and in knowing that our lives must be centered on Christ’s second coming, the King who must reign in our daily lives.
38 “God bless the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory to God!” – Luke 19:38 (Good News Translation)
ALL GLORY TO CHRIST THE KING!
Written By: Mr. JC Recto, OP