The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
Reigning from a Cross
Liturgical Cycle: C | Lectionary Cycle: I
Introduction
Was I There When They Crucified My King?
Reigning from a Cross
Greeting (See Second Reading)
The Father has given us a place
in the kingdom of his beloved Son.
In him we gain our freedom,
the forgiveness of our sins.
May Jesus the Lord be with you. R/ And also with you.
Introduction by the Celebrant
Was I There When They Crucified My King?
What a King we have! “He saved others, let him save himself,” jeered the religious leaders of the people. A King, mocked and dying on a cross for the sake of saving people. Even from the cross, he told a repentant bandit, “Today you will be with me in paradise.” Hanging there with his arms wide open, he embraced the whole world in a gesture of love and reconciliation. This is the King we acclaim today in this Eucharist and in life.
Reigning from a Cross
Today we close the Church Year with the solemnity of Christ the King. Throughout this year, we have witnessed the birth, life, message, death, and resurrection of Jesus before our eyes. Today’s liturgy sums up some key aspects of why he came among people. He died on the cross for us to show us all the depth of God’s love, his boundless mercy on sinners, the promise of paradise to the crucified criminal, the grace of God that accepts us as brothers and sisters of Jesus and the Father’s children and heirs. With Jesus, we now thank the Father for bringing us forgiveness and life.
Penitential Act
Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?
Jesus was nowhere more our king
than when on the cross he overcame sin and death.
Let us ask our Lord to remember us in his kingdom.
(pause)
Jesus, our Lord and King,
by your humiliation you led us
to the joy and glory of paradise:
Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.
Jesus Christ, our Lord and King,
by your suffering you brought us
happiness without end:
Christ, have mercy. R/ Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, our Lord and King,
by your death you gave us life
and light and reconciliation:
Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.
Have mercy on us, Lord,
give us the peace of your pardon.
Keep us one with you in joys and sorrows,
and lead us to everlasting life. R/ Amen.
Reigning from a Cross
We ask the Lord to forgive us
because we have not always answered his love.
(pause)
Lord Jesus, King of mercy,
we thank you for bringing us forgiveness:
Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.
Jesus Christ, king of truth and life,
we thank you for making our lives
meaningful and rich and eternal:
Christ, have mercy. R/ Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, king of love and peace
we thank you for the grace
of showing us the way to the Father:
Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.
Let us feel your endless mercy, Lord,
make it overflow on our brothers and sisters,
and lead us to everlasting life. R/ Amen.
Opening Prayer
Let us pray that all God’s people
may become more like Christ our King
(pause)
God our Father, lover of people,
you make us recognize our King
in Jesus crowned with thorns
and enthroned on a cross,
as our leader without army or might.
With him make us choose
love as our only power
and humble service as our only greatness.
May this be the way his kingdom grows among us,
until you lead us to your lasting joy.
We ask you this through Christ our Lord. R/ Amen.
First Reading
A King after God’s Own Heart: The people want David to be their king and shepherd. He is at the same time “of their own flesh and blood” and close to God too. In this he is a pale image of Jesus.
In those days, all the tribes of Israel came to David in Hebron and said:
"Here we are, your bone and your flesh.
In days past, when Saul was our king,
it was you who led the Israelites out and brought them back.
And the LORD said to you,
'You shall shepherd my people Israel
and shall be commander of Israel.'"
When all the elders of Israel came to David in Hebron,
King David made an agreement with them there before the LORD,
and they anointed him king of Israel.
Responsorial Psalm
R. (cf. 1) Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
I rejoiced because they said to me,
"We will go up to the house of the LORD."
And now we have set foot
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Jerusalem, built as a city
with compact unity.
To it the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
According to the decree for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
In it are set up judgment seats,
seats for the house of David.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Second Reading
We Belong in the Kingdom of Jesus: With Paul, we give thanks to the Father that we have a place in the kingdom of Jesus, thanks to his death on the cross.
He is the image of the unseen God,
and for all creation, he is the firstborn.
For, in him, all things were created:
things in heaven and on earth,
visible and invisible:
Thrones, rulers, authorities, powers.
All was made through him and for him.
He is before all things,
and in him all things hold together.
And he is the head of the body, which is the Church,
for he is the first to rise from the dead,
so that he might be the first in everything.
For God was pleased to dwell fully in him.
Through him, God chose to reconcile all things to himself,
and through his blood shed on the cross,
God establishes peace on earth as well as in heaven.
Alleluia Verse
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is to come!
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
A Crucified King: By his death on the cross, Jesus became not only the King of the Jews but also the king of everyone who accepts him, even of outcasts. But people have to make a choice, for or against him.
The people stood by, watching. As for the rulers, they jeered at him, saying to one another:
“Let the man who saved others now save himself, for he is the Messiah, the chosen one of God!”
The soldiers also mocked him and, when they drew near to offer him bitter wine,
they said:
“So you are the King of the Jews? Save yourself!”
Above Jesus, there was an inscription in Greek, Latin, and Hebrew, which read, “This is the King of the Jews.”
One of the criminals hanging with Jesus insulted him, saying:
“So you are the Messiah? Save yourself, and us as well!”
But the other rebuked him, saying:
“Have you no fear of God, you who received the same sentence as he did?
For us, it is just: this is payment for what we have done. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
And he said:
“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
Jesus replied:
“In truth I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Prayers of the Faithful
Let us pray to our Lord Jesus Christ that his kingdom may grow among us, and let us say: R/ Lord, your kingdom come.
– Christ came as the Savior of all. That his kingdom may come to those who have lost the way to God and to people, let us pray: R/ Lord, your kingdom come.
– Christ reconciled heaven and earth. That his kingdom may come through peace among nations, let us pray: R/ Lord, your kingdom come.
– Christ is the head of the Church. That his kingdom may come through the unity of all Christians, let us pray: R/ Lord, your kingdom come.
– Christ gave a place in his kingdom to sinners, to the poor, to those who suffer. That his kingdom may grow among the weak and the voiceless of our day, let us pray: R/ Lord, your kingdom come.
– Christ is the first to rise from the dead. That his kingdom may come with its joy to all our beloved ones who have died: let us pray: R/ Lord, your kingdom come.
– Christ is alive in our communities. That his kingdom may grow through our dedication and service, let us pray: R/ Lord, your kingdom come.
Lord Jesus, make us into a people that brings the warmth of your justice and love to everyone on earth, that your kingdom may grow among us now and for ever. R/ Amen.
Prayer over the Gifts
Almighty Creator and Father
of all that is and lives,
show us your living presence
in your Son Jesus Christ.
By the power of his Holy Spirit
sustain our hope
and commit us generously
to build up a city and a kingdom
that is human, peaceful, just and fraternal,
as an offering that pleases you,
our God for ever and ever. R/ Amen.
Introduction to the Eucharistic Prayer
Let us give thanks to God our Father, who has given us a place in the kingdom of his beloved Son.
Invitation to the Lord’s Prayer
As sons and daughters of the Father in heaven,
we pray with Jesus,
who has freed us from sin,
that God’s kingdom may come to all: R/ Our Father...
Deliver Us
Deliver us, Lord, from every evil
and grant us your peace,
which continues to escape us.
Let it be a peace based
on your truth and justice, on dignity,
on serving love for you
and for those around us.
Help us to prepare in joy and hope
for the firm coming among all
of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. R/ For the kingdom...
Invitation to Communion
This is Jesus, the Lamb of God,
who became our peace and reconciliation
by his death on the cross,
and became the king of all
by his glorious resurrection.
Happy are we to be called
to his table and his kingdom. R/ Lord, I am not worthy...
Prayer after Communion
Lord, mighty God,
let the bread of life of your Son sustain us
and his cup be our joy and hope
in carrying out the task entrusted to us
of bringing his kingdom to a good end.
Help us to give each person their due
in respect, dignity and justice.
Turn us into makers of peace
and make our love generous and self-effacing
in the service of all,
that Jesus Christ may be our Lord and King
now and for ever. R/ Amen.
Blessing
The Kingdom of God is not yet complete.
But it is among us and it keeps growing
when we try to live like Jesus
and to bring his justice and love to all
by our words and deeds
and by the gift of ourselves.
May God bless you for this task:
the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. R/ Amen.
Let us go in peace
to love and serve the Lord in people.
R/ Thanks be to God.
REFLECTIONS
November 23, 2025
Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
Luke 23:35-43
Today, we come to the end of the liturgical year. The Gospel brings us to Calvary — to a scene that may seem like defeat, but in truth, it is the moment of Christ’s greatest victory. The throne is a cross. The crown is made of thorns. The royal robe is a cloak of mockery. Yet, it is here that we see what true kingship looks like.
The people stand watching. The rulers sneer, the soldiers mock, and above the head of Jesus hangs a sign: “This is the King of the Jews.” They mean it as an insult, but it reveals the deepest truth. This is indeed the King — not the kind the world expects, but the King who reigns by loving, by forgiving, by giving his life completely.
From the beginning of his mission, Jesus was tempted to be a different kind of king — one who would dominate, conquer, and make others serve him. The Evil One whispered: “Take power for yourself. Build your kingdom on fear and control.” But Jesus refused. His kingdom would not be built by violence or pride, but by love and mercy.
And now, as he hangs upon the cross, the same temptation returns. “Save yourself!” they shout. “If you are the King, come down!” Those words echo the same old lie — that power is proven by strength, that victory means self-preservation. But Jesus will not save himself. He has come to save us. His kingship is not about himself, but about others.
At his side are two criminals — one mocks him, the other prays: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” That prayer is the heart of faith. The dying man sees, through the darkness and the pain, the true nature of Christ’s kingship. And Jesus replies with words that still console us today: “Today you will be with me in Paradise.”
Here, at the foot of the cross, we see the kind of King we have — a King who does not destroy his enemies but forgives them, who does not reign with armies but with open arms. His throne is not built on gold or glory, but on love that endures even through death.
Brothers and sisters, to celebrate Christ the King is to ask ourselves: which kingdom do we belong to? The kingdom of power, pride, and fear — or the kingdom of compassion, truth, and mercy?
Christ reigns wherever love triumphs over hatred, wherever forgiveness is stronger than revenge, wherever the poor are lifted up and the broken are healed. This is the reign of God that begins here and now — in every act of love, every gesture of peace, every moment of mercy.
So today, let us look upon the Cross — and see our King. The One who rules not by might, but by mercy. The One who reigns not from a throne of gold, but from a heart that never stops loving. Amen.
The True King
Read: David is anointed king of Israel. God, the Father, in his great mercy, has made us members of the Kingdom of his Son where fullness dwells. Jesus, the Eternal King, reigns from the Cross.
Reflect: In the desert, after tempting Jesus and failing, the devil “departed from him until an opportune time” (Lk 4:13). The devil revisits him, in far more disguised manner, while Jesus is on the cross: the temptation comes through the crowd around him who jeer him and ask him to prove himself as King by coming down from the cross: a temptation no different from that in the desert where the tempter asked him to jump off the Temple to prove himself to be the Son of God. Jesus refused then; he refuses now as well. For, his Kingdom is not one of grandiose spectacles at the service of oneself, nor is his Kingdom to prove anything before anyone: His Kingship, and thereby his Kingdom, is all about making oneself vulnerable and powerless for the sake of love, a kenosis (self-emptying) unto death in order to give life to all (cf. Phil 2:5-11).
Pray: “Lord, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”
Act: Spend some time today in personal adoration of the King of Kings.