On the last Sunday of the liturgical year we honour the High King and track His progress from Old Testament prophecy, through the witness of the Gospel and unto the apocalyptic fulfilment in the book of Revelation. First, consider that at the beginning God was named sovereign over His Creation, but the sins of humanity attempted to acquire freedom from the reign of God over the hearts of men and women. Thus the sin of our first parents, and every successive evil in the Bible. When God chose the Hebrew people for Himself, He elected prophets like Abraham, Moses and Samuel to act as His regents, He still being King. But the Israelites wanted to be like the other nations and have human kings, so Samuel gave them first King Saul, then King David. When the dynasty of King David failed to be faithful to God, the prophets foretold that God would be King once more, and that a Successor of David would return.
“Then I saw in my dream, how one came riding on the clouds of heaven, that was yet a son of man; came to where the Judge sat, crowned with age, and was ushered into his presence. With that, power was given him, and glory, and sovereignty; obey him all must, men of every race and tribe and tongue; such a reign as his lasts for ever, such power as his the ages cannot diminish.”
Prophecy of Daniel, 7: 13-14 [link]
This Successor of David is described by the prophet Daniel in the first reading as a Son of Man, and also as a divine figure, given kingship over all things. In the fullness of time, God would bring this to fruition. The people wanted a human king, and they should have Him. God however would be king once over His people and over His Creation. Thus in a stable in Bethlehem there appeared the wondrous spectacle of a human Child before Whom not just one nation (Israel) but all nations and the Creation itself bowed the knee. A human Child Who would call Himself the Son of Man, the Son of God, and (in our gospel reading) a King.
“So Pilate went back into the palace, and summoned Jesus; ‘Art thou the king of the Jews?’ he asked. ‘Dost thou say this of thy own accord,’ Jesus answered, ‘or is it what others have told thee of Me?’ And Pilate answered, ‘Am I a Jew? It is Thy own nation, and its chief priests, who have given Thee up to me. What offence hast Thou committed?’ ‘My kingdom,’ said Jesus, ‘does not belong to this world. If My kingdom were one which belonged to this world, My servants would be fighting, to prevent My falling into the hands of the Jews; but no, My kingdom does not take its origin here.’ ‘Thou art a king, then?’ Pilate asked. And Jesus answered, ‘It is thy own lips that have called Me a king. What I was born for, what I came into the world for, is to bear witness of the truth. Whoever belongs to the truth, listens to My voice.'”
Gospel of S. John, 18: 33-37 [link]
The readings now speak for themselves: the Hebrew King – the King of the Jews – reigns supreme over all the kings of men, as given by the second reading, from the book Revelation. His rule is over the hearts of men and women, and may many more answer His call.
“Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, first-born of the risen dead, Who rules over all earthly kings. He has proved His love for us, by washing us clean from our sins in His own blood, and made us a royal race of priests, to serve God, His Father; glory and power be His through endless ages, Amen. Behold, He comes with clouds about Him, seen by every eye, seen by those who wounded Him, and He shall bring lamentation to all the tribes of earth. So it must be, Amen. I am Alpha, I am Omega, the beginning of all things and their end, says the Lord God, He Who is, and ever was, and is still to come, the Almighty.”
Book of Apocalypse (aka. Revelation), 1: 5-8 [link]
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Here above is an image of the west window of our Cathedral in Nottingham, where two English kings lay their crowns at their feet, being as they are in the presence of the High King – to Whom be glory and praise both now and forever.
Catholic Louth and Mablethorpe 