Sunday is the feast of Christ the King. But the Kingdom that Christ establishes is unlike any other Kingdom. It is a Kingdom that is based on truth not earthly power. The Preface of the Mass goes further and speaks of "a Kingdom of truth and life, a Kingdom of holiness and grace, and a Kingdom of justice, love and peace".

The Church is the Embassy of that Kingdom. When people encounter the Church they should find the characteristics of that Kingdom spoken of in the Preface. We often hear that the Church is not just another human society, that it has a unique dimension because it is the Body of Christ. If the Church behaves like any other human society then that claim will ring terribly hollow. It is only if the Church is found to be a place where truth, life, holiness, grace, justice, love and peace are cherished and nurtured that the gospel will be believed.

Sunday's feast is a great celebration of the reign of Christ. We must make sure that his Kingship is shown in the way that the Church behaves.

P.D.