The Catholic Church marks the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe on November 23, 2025. A Jesuit scholar examines Christ's image as a non-tyrannical king but a servant to the poor. This challenges Filipinos to scrutinize their view of Christ's leadership amid global and local crises.
Amid the feast celebration, the article urges against viewing Jesus Christ as a vicious king ordering the death of sinners, such as drug addicts. Instead, his kingship centers on self-giving love and compassion, shown in his servanthood to the cross. In the Gospel of John (6:15), Jesus refused kingship and withdrew to the mountain. He criticized rulers like King Herod, calling him a "fox" (Luke 13:32).
Matthew 20:25-27 quotes Jesus: "It shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave." Christ's core message, the Reign of God, differs from worldly kingdoms; it manifests merciful presence through aiding the hungry, thirsty, stranger, naked, sick, and imprisoned, as in the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats (Matthew 25:31-46).
"Whatever you did for one of these least brothers (and sisters) of mine, you did for me," states Matthew 25:40. Pope Leo XIV in Dilexi Te reminds that the Incarnation involves flesh that hungers and experiences imprisonment. As Filipino Christians, we must question if we instrumentalize Christ to justify violence or insincere political agendas. Theologian Dorothee Sölle warns against "Christofascism," which severs Christianity from justice and solidarity with the poor.
Written by Jesuit scholastic Kevin Stephon Centeno from Oriental Mindoro, the piece calls for letting Christ's love reign in our hearts and society.