Revolutionary King

As we celebrate today the Feast of Christ the King, let us once and for all erase from our minds and imagination the medieval image of Christ pompously seated on a throne, with a bejeweled crown on his head, a scepter of power in his hand, and dressed in flowing, expensive robes. More-over, let us seriously work toward setting aside the pictures and statues of Christ picturing Him in the same way.

All that is farthest from the original, historical, authentic Christ and everything that he lived and died for. He revolutionized the very concept of kingship and leadership in His times – and for all times. To be king for Him was to serve and not to be served. To be leader for Him was to use power for people and not power over people.

"Anyone among you who aspires to greatness must serve the rest, and whoever wants to rank first among you must serve the needs of all. Such is the case with the Son of Man who has come, not to be served by others, but to serve, to give his own life as a ransom for the many" (Mt. 20:26-28).

When He washed the feet of His apostles, a task done only by slaves at the time, Christ signalized for them what being a leader was all about. "As I have done, so you must do (Jn. 13: 15). All that and more was what made Him truly the "King" of loving, humble service, social justice for all, and universal peace.

On the other hand, He used the strongest language in condemning the corrupt, self-serving political and religious leaders of His time. The entire 23rd chapter of St. Mathew’s gospel captures this on record. To quote in part:

"Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, you frauds! You pay tithes on mint and herbs and seeds while neglecting the weightier matters of the law, justice and mercy and good faith …. Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, you frauds! You cleanse the outside of cup and dish, and leave the inside filled with loot and lust…. Thus you present to view a holy exterior while hypocrisy and evil fill you within. . . . How can you escape condemnation to Gehenna? (From Mt.23:1-39).

If Christ were physically present among us today, you can just imagine how He would condemn all the political corruption and social injustices going on, starting from a big number of legislators in our country. The recent impeachment scandal, led by partisan politicians and self-serving family dynasties, and the Yadao decision on the Kuratong Baleleng case – to single out just two. "Woe to you, blind guides. . . . hypocrites. . . . frauds."

But over and above all this are Christ’s compassion and justice for His people – embodied in our other leaders and groups who are morally grounded and courageously dedicated to the common good. Our Supreme Court has defended what is legal and moral in the recent impeachment attempt. As for the Kuratong Baleleng case – justice will win, in God’s own time, and through our own vigilant efforts in fighting for justice.

Speaking of vigilance, Christ our king is missioning us to work for wise and honest elections in 2004. As God’s people, let us assume this responsibility. Let us actively involve ourselves in our parishes and organizations, in full support and cooperation with NAMFREL, Simbahang Lingkod Ng Bayan, and other voters’ education programs.

In choosing our local leaders all the way up to the presidency, let us discern God’s will in our deepest conscience, and not just blindly follow partisan political leaders whose first and last loyalty is mammon and not God. Let us elect leaders whose hearts and minds are grounded on God, moral integrity, wisdom for governance, genuine love for our country and our people, and the commitment to serve rather than be served.

Such leaders would be the re-incarnation of Christ, the revolutionary King!