Unpacking The Mass with Keith Nester

Episode: The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe 2025
Date: November 19, 2025

Episode Overview

In this special end-of-liturgical-year episode, Keith Nester unpacks the readings for the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe—commonly called "Christ the King" Sunday. This feast concludes Year C in the Catholic liturgical cycle and shifts focus toward the kingship of Jesus, prompting listeners to reflect on their participation in Christ's eternal kingdom. Keith explores the readings (2 Samuel 5:1–3, Colossians 1:12–20, Luke 23:35–43) and emphasizes the defining difference between living in the "kingdom of darkness" and the "kingdom of light"—the core personal choice every Christian faces.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Kingship of David and Its Fulfillment (2 Samuel 5 and 7)

• Unity Under David: David is recognized by all tribes as king—signifying unity and a return to God after a period led astray by former kings.
  • Quote: “The kingdom that David has is about bringing the people back to God.” (31:17)
• God’s Promise to David: Keith reads from 2 Samuel 7, outlining God’s covenant that David’s throne will endure forever. Solomon would build the temple, but the promise points to something more.
  • Quote: “There's this prophecy that he will forever have a descendant, which, of course, this is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the son of David.” (34:11)
• Jesus, the True King: Despite gaps in earthly kingship, Jesus is the eternal king—his kingdom transcends earthly institutions.
  • Discussion of differing prophetic interpretations: Keith stresses, "God fulfills His promises…Jesus Christ is the king of Israel and the king of the world." (35:34)

2. Who Christ Is: The Nature of His Kingship (Colossians 1)

• Transferred From Darkness to Light: Paul’s text is a favorite of Keith’s—he highlights that Christians are delivered from darkness and made part of Christ’s kingdom by adoption, not birthright.
  • Quote: "We've been transferred...from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light." (39:24)
• Christ's Eternal Existence: Jesus is not merely a great teacher—he is "before all things," "the image of the invisible God," and the divine reconciler.
• Misconceptions: Keith refutes claims that the divine nature of Christ was a later church invention, pointing out this doctrine is rooted directly in Scripture.
  • Quote: “He is before all things, the image of the invisible God. Not just a man, but he holds all things together.” (41:27)
• Redemptive Sacrifice: Christ’s kingship is defined not by domination but by sacrificial love and the offer of redemption through his blood.

3. True and False Responses to the King (Luke 23)

• Scene on the Cross: The Gospel reading contrasts two criminals crucified with Jesus:
  • One mocks: “If you are the Christ, save yourself and us!” (46:10)
  • The other repents, acknowledging Jesus’ innocence and kingship: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” (47:15)
  • Jesus promises: “Truly I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (47:58)
• Two Types of People:
  • Keith highlights that both men wanted salvation, but only one sought it Christ’s way, recognizing eternal reality beyond earthly suffering.
    • Quote: "One seeks salvation according to the kingdom of the world. The other seeks salvation according to the kingdom of Christ." (50:25)
• The Deeper Meaning of the Good Thief’s Response:
  • The good thief did everything he could do—recognized his sin, turned to Jesus, and asked for mercy.
    • Quote: "That's the Christian life, isn't it? To acknowledge Jesus as Lord and to ask for mercy, that's all he could do. And it was everything." (54:10)

4. The Kingdoms: Light or Darkness

• Ultimate Choice: There are really only two kingdoms: darkness (all that is not Christ) and the kingdom of light (Christ).
  • Quote: "You're either in darkness apart from Christ, or you are in light with him. Those are the two kingdoms." (43:51)
• No Half Measures: Being part of Christ’s kingdom isn’t about doing it your way or mere external claims, but involves total faith, obedience, and surrender.
• Application: Keith presses listeners—are they truly living as subjects of Christ, the King? Or are they, like the unrepentant thief, seeking only relief from discomfort while ignoring deeper transformation?
  • Reflection: "Which thief on the cross are you going to be?" (59:14)

5. Advice and Encouragement for Listeners

• Endings and New Beginnings: The liturgical year ending with Christ the King and beginning with Advent echoes the arc of the Christian life—“preparing and declaring.”
  • Quote: "We should begin our lives just like preparing, and we should end our lives declaring." (1:04:12)
• Invitation to Commitment: Keith encourages taking the new liturgical year as a chance for spiritual renewal, regular engagement with the Mass readings, and deeper commitment to living under the kingship of Christ.
• Christ’s Invitation: Jesus is a king who sacrifices for his people, not exploiting them, but inviting them into a kingdom where true love reigns.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Christ’s Kingship:

  “He’s the kind of king that lays his life down for his friends, and he invites you to be part of his kingdom. The issue isn't whether or not he's the king. The issue is whether or not you are part of his kingdom, my friends.” (42:48)

• On the Good Thief:

  “You don’t think the thief on the cross did anything? He certainly did a lot, didn’t he? ... He did more than most of us could ever hope to do, right?” (54:40)

• On Choices:

  “There’s not this plethora of kingdoms out there. ... The only way to have light is to be part of Christ's kingdom.” (44:12)

• Personal Application:

  “May the Lord forgive us. ... the Church walks us through these readings every week ... that we might understand who God is, ... and then we need to respond in faith and obedience.” (1:01:20)

• On the Rhythm of the Liturgical Year:

  “I love that the Church gives this to us as the bookend of our liturgical year. We're going to start in Advent preparing for his coming, and we're going to end the year declaring Christ is King.” (1:03:45)

Important Timestamps

• [09:48] – Introduction to the readings and purpose of Christ the King Sunday
• [13:50] – First reading: David’s anointing as king (2 Samuel 5)
• [24:00] – Covenant with David and prophecy of an eternal kingdom (2 Samuel 7)
• [31:00] – Application of Davidic covenant to Christ’s kingship
• [35:34] – Refuting misconceptions about Jesus’ divinity and discussing Colossians
• [39:24] – “Transferred from darkness to light”
• [42:48] – Discussion about Christ’s kingdom being not of this world
• [47:15] – Gospel reading: The two thieves (Luke 23)
• [54:40] – The significance of the good thief’s response
• [59:14] – “Which thief will you be?”
• [1:03:45] – Reflections on the end-and-beginning of the liturgical year, “preparing and declaring”

Overall Tone and Final Reflections

Keith’s presentation is warm, challenging, and personal, aimed at both increasing biblical understanding and encouraging practical Christian discipleship. He speaks candidly about his own struggles and emphasizes the grace and renewal available in Christ’s kingdom. The episode strongly invites listeners to reflect deeply on their allegiance and to make a renewed commitment for the upcoming year.

Summary

This episode guides listeners through the foundational biblical passages for Christ the King Sunday, tracing the scriptural roots of Jesus’ kingship, its fulfillment of Davidic promise, and its startling expression on the cross. Keith Nester’s teaching is accessible yet profound, moving from careful exegesis to heartfelt exhortation, with memorable illustrations and practical challenges. Listeners are left with one central question: “Which kingdom—and which king—am I truly serving?”