Today is the Feast of Christ the King. The words "King" or "Kingdom" occur twenty-two times in the prayers and readings of the Mass. The title "King" was much in the mind of Pilate as, in unease, he dealt with the disconcerting prisoner standing before him. In the Gospel, short as it is he asks four questions in an attempt to clarify the uncertainty which was born of that unease. Finally, almost in desperation he asks, "you are a king then?"

Jesus' answer could hardly have made it easier for Pilate to come to a quick and safe solution to his problem. Jesus more or less answered" Well you can call me a king if you want to, but my answer will depend on what you mean by the word "king". He clarified what he meant by the word king or president or emperor or prime minister or chief executive. A real king is one who in practice installs truth in his day to day rule.

The Preface of today's Mass helps us to understand what being a "king of truth" means. It means one who can enshrine life, holiness, grace, justice, love and peace at the heart of his kingdom.

There can only be one of us king or president or emperor or prime minister or chief executive in any one, workable gathering of men and women called a nation. However, in the kingdom of my own life, can I be king of truth, life, holiness, love, peace, grace and justice? By so doing I may help those I meet to establish similar kingdoms in their own lives.