Dear brothers and sisters and children in Christ Jesus,
I wish you all the blessings and joys of the Solemnity of Christ the King! As children, we used to enjoy a catechism holiday on this day, making a procession through the streets of our town while shouting, "Hail, Hail, Jesus our King." Those memories are truly delightful! However, I now realize that making Jesus our King is quite simple. This was precisely what the disciples hoped for—someone to liberate them from Roman rule. Yet, today’s Gospel presents us with a King whose throne is the cross, mocked by those who pass by. Ironically, it is a thief who recognizes His innocence. This short passage challenges our conventional images of kingship.
So, was Jesus really concerned about being a king? In the Christological hymn from the second reading, it is clear that Jesus is the king of all creation. Yet, as we reflect on the gospels, we see that Jesus primarily spoke about God’s Kingdom. He began His mission proclaiming that the Kingdom of God is near, calling for repentance. Everything He observed—a sower, a field, a weed, a fisherman casting a net, a woman mixing yeast, or even a mustard seed—reminded Him of the Kingdom of God. The concept of the Kingdom was at the heart of Jesus’ message. However, it was challenging to convey, so He often used parables. At times, we too struggle to grasp the meaning of the Kingdom. For some, it may be seen as something pertaining to the afterlife. In ancient times, some retreated to the deserts, viewing this world as irrelevant. Yet, Jesus tells us that the Kingdom is not here or there but is among us (Luke 17:21). This indicates that it isn’t something we should actively chase after but rather something to be discovered in our daily lives—in our families, workplaces, and beyond.
What does it mean to participate in a kingdom? It means living by its rules. However, we sometimes act as if we are sovereigns in our own small worlds, prioritizing wealth, jobs, possessions, or relationships. When Moses ascended the mountain, those who could see nothing beyond their immediate desires fashioned a golden calf. It’s much easier to remain at the base and create our own idols. St. Francis Xavier was inspired by the vision of the Kingdom through the diligent efforts of St. Ignatius of Loyola, who posed the question, "What does it profit a person if they gain the whole world but forfeit their soul?" Here, "the world" refers not to the physical realm but to the obsessions and passions we hold dear. Transitioning from our limited kingdoms to this expansive Kingdom is challenging, and to accomplish it, we must recognize how trivial the things we cherish truly are.
Ernest Hemingway, the renowned novelist, was often considered rough around the edges. Yet, at his funeral, a friend referred to him as a "spy for God on Earth." By "spy," he likely meant someone who works secretly for a higher purpose. Why would he make such a statement about Hemingway? Perhaps it was because Hemingway lived with an awareness of something larger than this temporal world. If we embrace a reality beyond our everyday existence, we will find it easier to forgive others, overlook their faults, judge less, care more, and be less swayed by our passions and attachments. Can we also live as “spies for God”? Can we keep our hearts open to a broader reality? Jesus states, "My kingdom is not of this world" (John 18:36). To live as if our kingdom is separate from worldly concerns means transcending boundaries of states, nations, colors, and religions, recognizing all human beings as children of the Father and citizens of that Kingdom.
You may have heard of Irena Sendler, who rescued 2,500 children from the Nazis by hiding them away. She drew inspiration from her father, a medical doctor who died treating cholera patients when others refused to help. Before his death, he advised her, “When you see someone drowning, even if you don’t know how to swim, don’t hesitate; you must jump into the water. Don’t just watch someone drown.” Ms. Sendler took this advice to heart and saved 2,500 children. Our call today is not merely to acknowledge Jesus as our King but to live according to the demands of His Kingdom—to embody the spirit of spies for God on Earth and to be a part of something greater than ourselves.
by Fr Joseph Nikhil George SJ St Ignatius Church, Nov 23, 2025