HOMILY OF 34TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME (CHRIST THE KING) — YEAR B
HOMILY OF 34TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME (CHRIST THE KING) — YEAR B
HOMILY THEME: CHRIST, THE KING OF THE UNIVERSE
BY: Fr. Sylvanus Ifeanyi Amaobi
Daniel 7:13-14; Revelation 1:5-8; John 18:33-37
Dear brothers and sisters, “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24).
THE APOCALYPTIC VISION
The apocalyptic vision of Daniel in the first reading (Dan. 7:13-14) seems to represent all that shall happen on the final day. A reading of the previous verses before the start of today’s reading shows the destruction of the beasts in judgment and the enthronement of the Kingdom of the Son of Man. “The court was convened, and the books were opened. And as I looked, the beast was slain, and its body destroyed and given over to be burned with fire. As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away” (Dan. 7:11-12).
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Following up on that vision was another vision of Daniel about the Son of Man, which we hear in today’s first reading. “As the visions during the night continued, I saw one like a Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven. When he reached the Ancient One and was presented before him, the one like a Son of man received dominion, glory, and kingship. All peoples, nations, and languages serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away; his kingship shall not be destroyed” (Dan. 7:13-14).
JESUS CHRIST, THE SON OF MAN, OUR KING, OUR SAVIOR.
Jesus Christ, in various passages of the scriptures, refers to and calls Himself the “Son of Man” (cf. Mt. 8:20, Lk. 7:34, Jn. 9:35). He is the King whose dominion is everlasting and whose kingship shall not be destroyed. He is the King who is worshipped, adored, and glorified by all earth’s peoples, nations, and languages. He is the Alpha and the Omega. Today, in Christendom, He is acclaimed and celebrated as the King of the Universe. As King, He claims dominion over all creation, that He may present to God, the Almighty Father, an eternal and universal kingdom: a kingdom of truth and life, a kingdom of holiness and grace, a kingdom of justice, love, and peace.
This Kingdom has no geographical location or reference and is not a man-made edifice. Jesus made this known to Pilate in today’s gospel when He told Pilate, “My kingdom does not belong to this world.” Those who belong to this Kingdom, who are citizens of this Kingdom, are those who open their hearts to Him and do His will such that He reigns over them as their King. The subjects of this Kingdom become the citizens of heaven.
WE SHARE IN JESUS CHRIST’S KINGSHIP
As children of God, we have been made sharers of the kingship of Christ, for “he has made us into a kingdom, priests for his God and Father.” This is the message of the second reading from the book of Revelation (Rev. 1:5-8). This is realized through our being baptized in Him, for the Church teaches us that in baptism, we share in the Kingship, Priesthood, and Prophetic mission of Christ (CCC. 1268). Therefore, he not only forgives us of our sins by his blood but also makes us sharers of his nature. What an unfathomable act of love! What a great love He has for us! Like John, the author of the book of Revelation, we can only say, “To Him be glory and power forever and ever. Amen.”
Always remember that Jesus loves you!
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