“My Kingdom is not of this world,” said Jesus to Pilate (John 18:36). Today we celebrate a kingship which is very different to most of those that have existed throughout history. Pomp, splendour, luxury and deference are usually associated with monarchies, even in today’s world. Jesus, however is a king who completely identifies with his subjects. He will judge us on how we have looked after the poor, the sick and the imprisoned.
St Louis, King of France, used to sit under an oak tree in the Bois de Vincennes and anyone could come to him with their problems. However, Louis was confined to a time and place. Our King, Jesus, is available to us always. We can confide everything to him in prayer, asking for his help. In the Apocalypse the visionary hears the following words: “Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me” (Apoc. 3:20). This is a beautiful picture of the intimate relationship that each of us can have with our King.