Homily
for the Solemnity of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Universal King (B)
(Thirty-Fourth
Sunday of the Year (B))
(22nd
November, 2015) on the Gospel and the Solemnity.
Dan 7:13-14;
Ps
92:1-2.5 (R.V. 1);
Rev
(Apoc) 1:5-8;
Jn 18:33-37.
There is a story of a four-year-old who
was at the paediatrician for a check-up. “As the doctor looked down her ears ...
he asked, ‘Do you think I’ll find a Big Bird in here?’ The little girl stayed
silent. Next, the doctor took a tongue depressor and looked down her throat. He
asked, ‘Do you think I’ll find the Cookie Monster down there?’ Again, the
little girl was silent. Then the doctor put a stethoscope to her chest. As he
listened to her heart beat, he asked, ‘Do you think I’ll hear Barney in here?’
‘Oh, no!’ the little girl replied. ‘Jesus is in my heart. Barney’s on my
underpants.’”[1]
Topic: Christ’s Reign.
While foretelling the birth of Jesus Christ
the angel Gabriel said to Mary:
“And now, you will conceive in your
womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be
called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne
of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of
his kingdom there will be no end” (Lk
1:31-33).
And while answering the Pharisees who
asked Him when the kingdom of God was coming, Jesus said: “The kingdom of God
is not coming with signs to be observed; nor will they say, ‘Lo, here it is!’
or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you” (Lk 17:20-21). Again, while refuting the
accusation that He was casting out demons by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons
Jesus said: “if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the
kingdom of God has come upon you” (Lk
11:20; cf. Matt 12:28).
As we celebrate the solemnity of
Christ the Universal King it is important to note that His kingdom is not only
in heaven. Hence in today’s gospel when Pilate asked Him whether he is the king
of the Jews Jesus replied: “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom
were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being
handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here” (Jn 18:36). This is because all
authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him, cf. Matt 28:18. Hence “at the name of Jesus
every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth” (Phil 2:10).
My dear friends in the Lord, as we
celebrate this solemnity, Christ is asking us through the prophet: “A son
honours his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is
my honour? And if I am a master, where is my fear?” (Mal 1:6). Anyone who wishes to have a share in Christ’s kingdom in
heaven must first respond positively to Christ’s invitation here on earth, cf. Lk 14:24. Hence Christ said:
“You are those who have stood by me
in my trials; and I confer on you, just as my Father has conferred on me, a
kingdom, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will
sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel” (Lk 22:28-30).
Bible Readings: Lk 14:15-33. 17:20-37; Jn 10:24-38; Col 3:1-17; Matt 25:31-46.
Silent Prayer:
Do you call Christ King of your own accord or because others call Him that?
Let us pray: Jesus, the everlasting King, as we
celebrate with joy your kingship here on earth, may we be found less unworthy
for your glory in heaven – Amen.
God bless you+
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