Readings for Christ the King Sunday

Christ Pantocrator in the Cappella Palatina - Palermo, Sicily

On this last Sunday in the Christian liturgical year, we celebrate the Reign of Christ. The lessons concentrate on the anticipated triumph of God in and through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Jeremiah 23:1-6: The shepherd is a standard Old Testament symbol for the king of Israel.  After condemning Israel's leaders for failing to provide care for God's flock, this prophecy promises a monarch who will return Israelites from foreign lands and rule them in prosperity, security and
peace.

Luke 1:68-79 (UMH 208): Known to Christian tradition as The Benedictus (from the Latin for its first word), this psalm may well have had Jewish origins long before the birth of Jesus.  It is composed of a series of familiar Old Testament phrases taken chiefly from the Psalms.  It became an early Christian hymn and was incorporated into Luke's account of the Gospel as part of the poetic narrative of the Messiah's birth.

Colossians 1:11-20: Few passages in the all New Testament letters reach the majestic heights of this one. It is at once a joyous affirmation of what Jesus Christ has done for us and a vivid statement of the fundamental belief on which our faith stands: Jesus is the divine Saviour who died and rose
again for us.  The passage also declares the firm conviction that Jesus is the final and full revelation of God's love and purpose for all of creation.

Luke 23:33-43: How appropriate to end the Christian year with the story of Jesus' promise of eternal life to the repentant thief dying beside him.  The sovereign Lord of all creation has compassion for every sinner. The reign of Christ, the King of Love, is for all who choose to be his subjects.