Homily, Christ The King, Yr C 2Sam. 5:1-3; Col. 1:12-20; Lk 23:35 – 43. The Feast (or more correctly, Solemnity) of Christ the King was inaugurated or instituted by Pope Pius XI in 1925 in his encyclical letter “Quas Primas” to turn the attention of a world that was gradually becoming human-centred or anthropocentric to Christ by whom and for whom all things are created. The institution of the feast of the kingship of Christ was intended to be a call to all Christians to acknowledge the sovereignty of Christ, not only over all Christians but over all creation. For through him, by him, in him and for him, all things subsist ( Col. 1:16). As we celebrate the feast of Christ the king, all the readings are about kingship. The first reading (2Sam. 5:1-3) is about the anointing of David as the king of Israel. For the people of Israel, David was a perfect king and they lived to see him rule again. And Jesus, the son of David, would fulfill this dream perfectly. The second reading (Col. 1:12-20) refers to Christ as the King by whom, for whom and in whom all things are created ( Col. 1:16), in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, thrones, rulers, authorities and powers. This verse has deep and rich theological meaning. The eternity, sovereignty, perfection, omnipotence, omniscience and superiority of Christ is accentuated. He has always been in existence, He knows and has power over every power, throne, ruler and authority. This makes His kingship unchangeable, impeccable, dependable, reliable and indefatigable! He knows all and has control over all. No wonder then that in the gospel (Lk 23:35 – 43), the soldiers, Pilate and even the criminal acknowledge Christ as King. How are we expected to celebrate this solemnity? One way to celebrate this feast is to announce to the world that Christ is our king. But how precisely do we do that? There are a couple of ways available for us. 1. By decently and honorably drumming, singing, dancing and clapping round our locality; 2. Adoration and worship of Christ – Eucharistic Adoration. 3. Our actions should show that our Brother and ‘Oga’ is a king; Children from a royal family are expected to be royal and loyal. 4. Our leadership style should be modeled after that of Christ who came not to be served but to serve . 5. We should depend on and trust in Him as our maker and sustainer. If He fails to sustain us even for a second we shall go into extinction! We should depend on Him as our only source of power, life, hope, security. Today, and always, our song should be this beautiful song: “In Christ alone, my hope is found. He is my light, my strength, my song. This corner-stone, this solid ground, firm through the fiercest drought and storm....My comforter. My all in all, here in the love of Christ I stand.” May Christ, the King of kings, rule in our will, body, family, job, business, studies, vocation and entire life, so that all we do may be abundantly blessed by Him.
Posted on: Wed, 20 Nov 2013 06:05:39 +0000