It is difficult for us to appreciate what a king would have meant to people in the time of Jesus. The early Christians saw Jesus primarily as the Good Shepherd and later on as the Pantocrator - ruler of the Universe. The latter would have been influenced by the new status of Christianity under the emperor Constantine. Today's feast, however, is not an ancient one. It was instituted by Pope Pius XI in 1925 amid the rise of fascism in Europe. Benito Mussolini had come to power on 1922. Jesus reign as Universal King began at the Crucifixion and he is enthroned on his Cross. Conquering sin and death he did as he prophesied: "Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." (Jn 12: 31-32) Sin no longer reigns unopposed in this world but continues to struggle and win over people to the rule of Satan. Nevertheless, the end of the Universe is clear: "And just as it is appointed for mortals to die once, and after that the judgment, so Christ, having offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him." (Heb 9: 27-28) The question is whether we are prepared for when the King returns? Have we manifested the fruit of his grace in our lives?
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