YEAR B: HOMILY FOR THE 34TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – CHRIST KING OF THE UNIVERSE

YEAR B: HOMILY FOR THE 34TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – CHRIST KING OF THE UNIVERSE

HOMILY THEME: KING WITH A DIFFERENCE

BY: Fr. Gerald M. Musa

HOMILY:

Stories of kings, emperors, kingdoms and principalities abound in history. One remarkable emperor in Africa is the 14th century Mansa Kankan Musa of Mali. He is arguably the richest person in history. He was called by several titles such as Lord of the mines of Wangara, Lion of Mali and conqueror of Ghanata. His territory extended beyond Mali to several countries of Africa. He established diplomatic ties with North African countries and Europe. The story of his pilgrimage to Mecca is well documented in history. He displayed his splendor and wealth in that pilgrimage. He travelled with 60,000 men, 12 thousand servants and 80 camels carrying between 50 to 300 pounds of gold dust each. The story of this African emperor provides us with a glimpse of the power and wealth that are often associated with kings.

The kingship of Christ is different from Mansa’s. Many centuries before the birth of Mansa Musa, the Prophet Daniel saw a vision of the Son of Man (Jesus). Daniel said, “To him was given dominion and glory and kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him” (Daniel 7:14). The book of Revelation describes this coming king as the Alpha and Omega, the one who is, who was and who is to come” (Revelation 1:8). No human king in history bears the title, Alpha and Omega (the beginning and end) except Jesus. No king and no kingdom has lasted or will last forever – they all pass away and become subjects of history. Only the kingdom of Christ lasts forever and that is why the creed says, “His kingdom will have no end.”

Even though Jesus is the greatest king ever, He is a king with a difference. He gives little or no attention to political power and financial wealth. He says to his listeners, for no one’s life consists in the superabundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:15). Jesus clearly stated to Pilate the nature of his kingdom and his mission in the world, “My kingdom does not belong to this world” (John 18:36) kingship is not of this world…I have come into the world to bear witness to the truth” (John 18:36-37).

Jesus demonstrates to the world a new way of leadership, a new way of being king. From his kingship we learn that a leader, king, queen, president should strive to be:

– A person who bears witness to the truth and someone who has moral authority because of his/her integrity.

– A person who pursues peace and one who is not a warmonger.

– Someone who exercises authority with sincere humility.

– One who is in constant relationship with God the ultimate King.

– A person who makes every effort to build a God-centred family, community and kingdom.

– Someone who heals the broken hearted and re- connects people to God.

– One who rejects the worship of money and encourages his subjects to have an unalloyed loyalty to God.

– Someone for whom God is all and in all.

In every month of November, in the last Sunday of the liturgical year we celebrate the solemnity of Christ the Universal king. Let us imitate his life and leadership as we celebrate him. A spiritual writer, Paul W. Harrison says, “Wherever God rules over the human heart as King, there is the Kingdom of God established.”

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