This Sunday, we celebrate 100 years of the Feast Day of Christ the King. Pope Pius XI instituted the day on December 11, 1925 in response at once to both the rise of secularism and, importantly, the increasing popularity of nationalism in a post WWI context. In 1969, Pope Paul VI changed the title of the day to “The Feast to Our Jesus Christ King of the Universe,” and moved it to the very last day of the liturgical year. So, this Sunday, we will celebrate communion, recommitting ourselves to the worship of the King of the Universe who stands above every earthly commitment and power, and let our Christian year be summed up in such a commitment. It is a timely commitment, as Christian Nationalist voices rise in our country and ultra-nationalist movements gain popularity around the world. Let us take our lead from the One who reigns in power by virtue of love!
