Shikrot Mpwi – Sunday Synopsis
Fr. Justine John DYIKUK
Dear friends in Christ,
On the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe and Last Sunday of the Year, C (23 November 2025), I bring you greetings and God’s blessings!
Theme: Jesus’ Reign Over Us!
Introduction
Friends in Christ, the celebration of Christ the King was instituted in 1925 by Pope Pius XI. However, it was moved to the last Sunday in Ordinary in 1970. The first reading recounts how God anointed David as shepherd, prince and king over Israel. In the second reading, Saint Paul underlines that we are qualified to share in the inheritance of the Saints in light. The gospel discloses how one of the two thieves on the cross asked Jesus to remember him in his Kingdom.
Review of the Readings
The first reading (2 Sam 5:1-3) states how God anointed David as shepherd, prince and king over Israel. Ultimately, Christ would from the Davidic dynasty to reign as King. Although the Jewish leaders would mockingly compare Jesus with David, the anointed one, little did they know that they were stating the obvious as later, that identity would be revealed by the good-thief on the cross as the gospel relates.
In the second reading, (Col. 1:12-20) Saint Paul reveals that we have been qualified to share in the inheritance of the Saints in light as legitimate heirs of God’s everlasting kingdom, where we are forgiven.
The gospel discloses the drama that ensued between Jesus and the two thieves. The Good thief asked: “Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingly power” thus revealing the true identity of Jesus as a King – a kingdom inaugurated through his incarnation.
Takeaway Lessons
- Political, traditional and religious leaders are charged to embrace servant-leadership like Christ the King, who in humility rode on a donkey rather than a horse and came to serve, not to be served and to give his life as a ransom for many (Cf. Mark 10:45).
- We are urged to facilitate being subjects of God’s dominion without exempting any of our faculties – soul, mind and body.
- We are encouraged to let embrace interior sanctification of our souls through prayer, mortification and sacrifice.
- In a world that is increasingly becoming anti-Christ, naming and shaming Christians, emboldened by the Holy Spirit, we are encouraged to baptise modernism, secularism and indifferentism with strong Christian convictions.
- Like the good thief, we are charged to look at our situation with “the eye of faith rather than “the eye of situation” like the and thief.
Conclusion
By viewing his situation with ‘the eye of faith,’ the good thief knew that God was not done with him; he did not lose faith but saw God’s unfathomable mercies as an opportunity to repent. Apparently, he stole on earth and stole heaven. As we embark on Eucharistic procession with alleluia chants, may Christ reign in our hearts and homes as the effects of this celebration are felt worldwide. May we live for the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. Amen.
