This Solemnity is a special opportunity to consider the encyclical letter, “The Light of Faith,” written by Pope Benedict and Pope Francis. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12), and so the light of faith radiates from Christ, whom we honor as King of the universe. What is the light that Christ the King brings to the world?

There are only two possibilities underlying existence. Either the universe came from a supreme, uncreated being who has always existed outside space and time, or the universe came from nothing. We who honor Christ the King walk in the light of his teaching that there is one God, creator of the universe and goal of our existence. Christ gives us the light of meaning, purpose, and love.

But if we had come from the darkness of nothing, we would be going into a darkness where there is no hope and no meaning. There are some who mock faith because it cannot be proven by scientific means. It is true that God cannot be put under a microscope. But the alternative to God, nothing, cannot be put under a microscope either! We must believe in God or in nothing. Christ our King came into the world to assure us that we find our origin and our destiny in the light of God’s love. Without this light of love, all else grows dim.

The lesson of today’s Gospel is that Jesus turns even the darkness of suffering and death into the light of eternal life. On the cross Jesus is mocked by his enemies as “King of the Jews.” But his Resurrection shows that he is the King of Creation who conquers even death itself and leads us victoriously into the light of his eternal kingdom.