HOMILY FOR THE SOLEMNITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST – KING of the Universe
HOMILY FOR THE SOLEMNITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST – KING of the Universe
THEME: The Kingdom of Christ
By: Fr. Anthony O. Ezeaputa
Today, the Catholic Church celebrates the solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. In response to the social and political tempest that was brewing barely four years after the end of World War I, Pope Pius XI instituted today’s celebration in his encyclical letter “Quas primas” of December 11, 1925.
Back then, we had Adolf Hitler and his Nazi regime, Benito Mussolini and his fascist ways, and Vladimir Lenin with his communist ideals. And one thing they all had in common was their burning hatred and deep-seated animosity for the church.
Pius XI reflects that the sociopolitical problem of the time was that most people had rejected Jesus Christ and his commandments. And if individuals and nations do not embrace the authority of our Savior, there won’t be lasting peace among nations.
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Pius XI hoped that the feast of Christ the King would inspire people to rediscover Christ and his holy laws. He believes that the most efficient way to combat the destructive forces of secularism and ultranationalism is to recognize Christ as the king of our hearts and the king of all nations.
It’s also no coincidence that today’s feast falls on the last Sunday of the liturgical year. The solemnity of Christ the King is the pinnacle and fulfillment of the entire liturgical calendar—the enthronement of Our Lord Jesus Christ as King of the Universe.
According to Pius XI, Jesus Christ reigns over our minds through His teachings, rules our hearts with His love, and guides our lives by following His law and emulating His example. So, we are celebrating the enthronement of Jesus Christ as the King of soul, heart, and mind.
The enthronement of Jesus Christ as King entails dedicating ourselves to Him. It is deepening our understanding of Christ and the teachings of the Catholic Church. It is cultivating a steadfast and vibrant faith that shapes our thoughts and emotions and governs our actions.
Saint Paul writes, “The kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17). It is a kingdom that gives food to the hungry, gives water to the thirsty, welcomes the stranger, clothes the naked, cares for the sick, and visits the prisoners (Matthew 25:31–46).
The kingdom of Christ is a kingdom of truth and life, holiness and grace, justice, love, and peace. Christ came “to bear witness to the truth,” and whoever accepts his witness serves beneath his “banner.” As a result, we must choose whether to serve beneath the banner of God or the secularists and ultranationalists.
Secularists and ultranationalists often disguise themselves as advocates of progress, patriotism, and freedom. But they want to replace God and religious beliefs as the guiding principles of private and public debate.
Today’s feast is the inauguration of the kingdom of Christ. Through baptism, Christ has already given us birth into this kingdom. He has shown us how to live in it through faith and action. So, let us look forward to the day when we will all be gathered into his kingdom.
Until then, let us examine our involvement and commitment to the advancement of the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Christ, especially in our lives. Let us pray, “May your kingdom come, O Lord.”
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