Feast of Christ the King points us to a life of service

Feast of Christ the King, Nov. 20, 2011
Fr. Joseph Eddy, O. de M.
Homily: Matt. 25:31-46 “As you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.”

Full  homily text: As Americans we innately do not like the idea of having a King. Sure, as children, we may have listened to fairytales about a King. Or, as adults, we may have enjoyed movies such as “The King’s Speech” or “Lord of the Rings.” But, if anyone was to suggest a return to a Kingdom most would respond, “Are you crazy?” We threw off that yoke 235 years ago!!

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The United States was founded by a revolution against a monarchy which took advantage of us and disrespected us. In fact, our national hero, George Washington, was so popular that he was offered kingship. He refused this title and worked with others to ensure that a monarchy would never again be in rule in the New World.

He is King, not facilitator

So, when we hear that this Sunday is the Solemnity of Christ the King it could make us feel uncomfortable. However, we believe that Jesus was anointed by the Father as Priest, Prophet, and King. He exercised this perfectly by his incarnation, preaching, death, and resurrection. Jesus is a King, not a leader or a facilitator or presider or, even, a president. Jesus has inherited his authority from the Father and he exercises total power because he is God (all knowing, all present, and all powerful).

What really makes us fear a King? It is the tyranny that often has come from one individual ruling with total authority. Often in such cases the subjects have been deprived of basic rights and dignity as persons. This was what we fought against in the Revolutionary War. But, as we see in the Sacred Scriptures we have no need to fear this from Jesus Christ the King. In the Kingdom of God, ruling is servant leadership. Jesus tells us in Matthew 20:28: “I came to serve and not to be served and to give my life as a ransom for many.”

On the right path

Jesus’ Kingship is like a shepherd with his sheep. The shepherd tends his sheep; keeping them on the right path when it is “cloudy and dark.” He is always seeking the lost, binding the injured and healing the sick. Ultimately, Jesus desires nothing less than to lead us to safe pastures; giving us rest. The shepherd has a staff or crosier, which is symbolic of his job. The hook part of the staff is to pull back the stray, while the other side is rounded so as to beat away the wolves and all who threaten the sheep.  Our Lord both protects and guides us, his sheep, to safe pastures.

At Jesus’ first coming St. John the Baptist says “the Kingdom of God is at hand.” This is good news, since Jesus’ Kingdom is at the service of each of us. Jesus showed this by taking on our flesh, teaching the Gospel, and finally offering himself for his sheep on the cross. Death could not hold our Lord. He rose again to become the “first fruits” of the new kingdom. Then, at the second coming Jesus will hand over the kingdom to his Father. Death, suffering, and all evil will be destroyed.

A rule of service

We too share in the Kingship of Christ at our Baptism. We are anointed with Sacred Chrism, which enables us to share in the common priesthood of Christ. We share in Jesus’ office of Priest, Prophet, and King. We are kings who exercise their service in the name of Jesus the King. It is our call to show people that the Kingdom of God has come among us! We do this by service: feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, welcoming the stranger, clothing the naked, caring for the ill, and visiting those in prison. These are the Corporal Works of Mercy and they are a requirement of those who are to enter Heaven. By doing these works we proclaim that the Kingdom has begun. As the saying goes, “they will know we are Christians by our love.” People know that Christ the King is present when we exercise his rule of service.

So we do not have to fear the reign of Jesus the King. His reign is one of service. He expects and even demands that we serve him in others. It is in this way that we spread the reign of Christ the King. And, one day we too will hear, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the World.”