Colossians

Today marks Christ the King Sunday, the final Sunday of the lectionary year. While Christ’s life and death occurred two millennia ago, this particular celebration is a relatively new addition to the Christian calendar, having been established by the Catholic church in 1925. The reason for its introduction was critical: to combat the rising tide of secularization and nationalism. A century later, the focus on Christ’s supreme Kingship remains profoundly timely.

Our passage from Colossians 1:11-20 serves as a powerful affirmation of this truth, raising Christ up as our King. Paul writes that Jesus, the Son of God, has ‘rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins’. This God is our creator, the creator of everything and everyone.

The passage details Christ's absolute supremacy: ‘In him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him’. Jesus reigns over all and sits above all earthly rulers. Paul prays that we may be ‘strengthened with that power; according to his glorious might; so that we may have great endurance and patience’. This power is available to sustain us today.

We are called to give joyful thanks because we share in the inheritance of the kingdom of light, which grants us freedom from the dominion of darkness. Crucially, this King’s authority is not authoritarian. The ultimate victory is the peace won through the cross. The blood He shed was not His defeat, but the defeat of the dominion of darkness, offering us redemption and the forgiveness of sins.

As we move into Advent next week—a period of preparation and anticipation—let us use this time expectantly, rejoicing in the coming King who won the battle through sacrifice. Let us reflect His light out into the world, seeking to bring joy in all that we do.