HOMILY FOR THE SOLEMNITY OF THE CHRIST THE KING

HOMILY FOR THE SOLEMNITY OF THE CHRIST THE KING — YEAR B

HOMILY THEME: THE KINGSHIP OF CHRIST

BY: Fr Peter Gabriel Okon

Daniel 7:13-14; Revelation 1:5-8; John 18:33-37

Today, we celebrate the solemnity of Christ the King, which marks the end of the liturgical cycle B. One might wonder why we have to wait till the last Sunday of the liturgical year before we celebrate the Kingship and Reign of Christ. This is done to show that Christ is our Finality, He is our Goal, to demonstrate that history begins and ends in Christ because He is the Alpha and the Omega, the End towards which we move. All our liturgical activities aims solely to direct us to JESUS CHRIST so that we can be saved on the Last Day when He will sit on His throne as King to judge both the living and the dead.

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Today’s celebration directs our focus to three key things. One is on preparing us to reign with Christ in His kingdom, by living for Him in the here and now. Secondly to imitate His example of kingship as leaders; the King who came to serve and not to be served. And lastly, this celebration urges us to open the doors of our hearts and home for Jesus to come in and reign in our lives, by surrendering to His authority.

By historical antecedent, this feast was inaugurated shortly after the First World War by Pope Pius XI in 1925, after having observed how the earthly monarchs and rulers became too power drunk, loosing sight of what it means to be leaders as kings. And again to curtail the deadly influence of secularism, fascism, and their likes, the Holy Father established this feast to redirect the attention of the world to a true model of leadership and service.

Today’s readings help us to reflect on the sovereignty, authority and the unique kingship and reign of Jesus Christ. The First reading from Daniel leads us into the dynamics of Jesus’ Kingship whose kingdom is boundless, timeless, all- encompassing and everlasting. The Responsorial Psalm; “The Lord is King with majesty enrobed” echoes the theme of Divine Kingship of Jesus Christ whose reign is not of this world but endures forever.

Pilate in today’s Gospel like many others before and after him thought of the Kingship of Jesus Christ in relation to political sovereignty and power as expressed in his question; “Are you the King of the Jews”? Jesus however makes it clear that His Kingdom is not of this world. In Jesus’ Kingdom, authority and power is for service and love. In His Kingdom, He reigns in love and rules with peace. It is a Kingdom where justice is served with mercy. A Kingdom not built with bricks and human structures, but with His blood. This is the Kingdom to which He invites us. Where there is a place for everyone. The slaves and the freeborn. The Jews and Gentiles. Saints and sinners.

Beloved in Christ as we celebrate the Kingship of Christ today, let us be reminded that in every home, community and state, there is an invincible throne, which is being occupied. Whosoever occupies the throne, rules and reigns therein. Let us therefore make Jesus Christ, the Lord and King of our lives and homes. If He occupies the prime place in our lives and homes, we will be saved from the dominion of darkness. As believers, we need to submit ourselves to the reign of Christ amidst the changing world, so as to experience the peace of His reign.

Finally brethren, Jesus again reminds us that He came to the world to bear witness to the truth, inviting all who listens to Him to live in that truth (John 18:37-38). This is a call for loyalty to His reign. The big question therefore is , where lies our loyalty? To whom do we submit and pay allegiance to? Let us keep in mind, that the Kingship of Christ is not of this world, and so our loyalty should not be tied to or inspired by the things of this passing world. We ought therefore to always live, talk, think, move as children of Light and citizens of God’s kingdom.

May the reign of Christ the Universal King free us from the dominion of darkness and every evil possession, oppression and suppression, leading us to share in the joy of God’s Kingdom of Light through Christ our Lord Amen.

Wishing you a happy Sunday

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