Homily (Reflection) for the Solemnity of
Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, (Thirty-Fourth Sunday of the Year)
(B) (25th November, 2018) 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.
This Sunday is
known by various names for various reasons: 34th Sunday of the year
because it is the Sunday after the 33rd Sunday, last Sunday of the
Year because it is the last Sunday of the Church’s Liturgical Year, the
Solemnity of Christ the King because today, the Universal Church celebrates the
Solemnity of Christ the King. Again, in this part of the world because the
Solemnity of Corpus Christi falls in the rainy season, the Eucharistic
procession that accompanies it is shifted to the Solemnity of Christ the King.
The Solemnity of
Christ the King was established in 1925 by Pope Pius XI as an antidote to the
secularism in the world. Just as today, people live their lives irrespective of
what God wants. Hence, what we profess today is our belief in the kingship of
Christ as a God the Word Incarnate, Redeemer and Judge of the living and the
dead. His kingdom is supreme, universal, eternal and spiritual.
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).
However, those who did not stand by
Him in His trials will say “‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our
streets’. But he will say, ‘I do not know where you come from; go away from me,
all you evildoers!’” (Lk 13:26-27).
Bible Reading: Lk 14:15-33. 17:20-37; Jn 10:24-38; Col 3:1-17;
Matt 25:31-46; Lk 13:22-30.
Thought for today: Is Christ really your King?
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.
You are
free to share this reflection with others if you consider it worthy.
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