We live in the world that is always changing. Almost nothing remains the same. Over time, there will be some changes.
Buildings undergo renovation to have a new look or layout. Some buildings may even be demolished and an entirely new building comes up, and that also changes the landscape.
In the name of progress and development, natural landscapes are changed, regardless of for better or for worse.
People also grow in change. Children grow into adults and become parents. Their parents go on to become grandparents.
So, the world around us, as well as ourselves, are constantly undergoing change.
Change maybe an indication of growth and progress.
We also hope that we can change for the better, in that we grow in wisdom and understanding.
As we celebrate the feast of Christ the King, we celebrate the almighty power and glory of Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ is the King of the universe, the King of kings and the Lord of lords.
His almighty power is eternal and everlasting.
And His almighty power can change people, can change thinking, as well as situations and circumstances.
In the gospel, Pilate asked Jesus if He was the King of the Jews.
And at the end of the gospel passage, Pilate answered his own question when he said to Jesus: So, you are a king then.
In between, something about Pilate has changed. At first, he interrogated Jesus, then he pondered about Jesus, and in the end, he was rather intrigued about Jesus.
It was Pilate who wrote that inscription on the Cross: Jesus the Nazarene, King of the Jews.
Pilate may not have intended it, but he declared it in writing that Jesus is the King of the Jews.
So, in the gospel passage, the encounter and exchange between Jesus and Pilate revealed something.
Pilate had the power, but Jesus is the Divine Authority.
Pilate had the first say, but Jesus had the last Word.
Pilate had the status, but Jesus has the truth.
In fact, Jesus is the Truth as He tells Pilate this: Yes, I am a king. I was born for this, I came into the world for this, to bear witness to the truth, and all who are on the side of truth listen to my voice.
One of the images of Christ the King is then he is carrying the cross with the left hand, and his right hand is raised to impart a blessing.
That image tells us that the Cross is the truth of our lives if we want to be disciples of Jesus our king.
Like Jesus, we will carry the cross of truth and stand on the side of truth and to bear witness to the truth.
And in carrying the cross of truth, Jesus blesses us with His right hand of power and glory.
Yes, we listen to the voice of Jesus Christ our King and we carry the cross of truth and bear witness to it.
And in carrying the cross of truth, Jesus Christ will bless us with His almighty love.
Yes, we believe and we follow Jesus Christ the King of Truth and Love.
The world will keep changing, but the truth and love of Jesus Christ Our King will never change.
And the eternal truth is that Jesus Christ our King will love us and He will love us forever.