HOMILY FOR THE SOLEMNITY OF CHRIST THE UNIVERSAL KING TEXTS: EZEK 34:11-12,15-17; 1 COR 15:20-26,28; MATT 25:31-46 Today being the last Sunday of the liturgical year (A), we celebrate the universal Kingship of Christ. The world today, is witnessing alot from different fronts; Boko Haram insurgency, fulani attacks, injustices, bad governance etc. The family as the basic block in building society is breaking down. Unity in society is fragile as this unity is built on compromises and superficial values. There is so much division, pain and hopelessness in the world as many are confused over their identity, purpose and meaning in life. Good leaders are needed to heal the community because society is fragmented and divided because of the wounds that come from sin and injustice. It is for this reason, Jesus our Good Shepherd has come to lead us to the fullness of life. He is the fulfillment of the prophecy when the Lord said, “I shall look for the lost one, bring back the stray, bandage the wounded and make the weak strong. I shall watch over the fat and healthy. I shall be a true shepherd to them.” His leadership is an enlightened leadership. He came as the Teacher in words and deeds, not just showing us the way but walking the way Himself, the way of truth and love. Every shepherd seeks to protect his flock from possible enemies that attack them without their knowledge. This means he needs to take preemptive measures and not wait for the enemies to attack, which would be too late. So as a leader, it is necessary that one of the tasks is formation and strengthening the flock so that they can be strong to fend off possible attacks from enemies. Accordingly, a leader must also consider the kind of moral values that he imparts to his people. He must also help them to be independent through intellectual formation. There can be no real progress if we do not ensure that right values are inculcated. A nation without a soul and a conscience is surely a sign of decadence rather than progress. As leaders, we cannot shirk our moral responsibility in leading our people to the greener pasture of life. This means offering people a holistic life, which is not just a better life, materially, but also moral and spiritual growth as well. The failure of leaders to lead their people in the truth will cause the nation to be divided and suffer moral decadence. leaders are called to heal the sick and strengthen the weak. A leader needs to have a preferential option for the weak under his care. This is what the Lord said, “I shall look for the lost one, bring back the stray, bandage the wounded and make the weak strong. I shall watch over the fat and healthy. I shall be a true shepherd to them.” The true leader works for the good of others, and has a special preferential treatment for the poor and the weak without neglecting the strong and the rich. He is always ready to die for those whom he serves, and always puts himself last before others. For this to happen, he must be identified with his sheep. In the gospel, Jesus identified with His sheep. He said, Then it will be their turn to ask, “Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty, a stranger or naked, sick or in prison, and did not come to your help?” Then he will answer, “I tell you solemnly, in so far as you neglected to do this to one of the least of these, you neglected to do it to me.” God is identified with the poor not the powerful and the rich. That is why, the Holy Father urges us, shepherds, to go out and reach out to the marginalized, those who are suffering. Today, we are going to march out to tell the whole world that we have a king who is also our shepherd. We are going out to proclaim and acclaim his Kingship. We are going out confess and profess that there is no King like him. We are at the same time challenged to allow him to be the ultimate king in our lives. It is not untrue that most of us have various kings and kingdoms that are ruling and occupying our lives. In our day and age money for instance has constituted itself as a king as many run after it as if their lives came from it. The same is applicable to immorality, fashion and materialism generally. In the area of modern means of communication and entertainment the story is more disheartening as telephones, television and similar technologies have become prominent kings and kingdoms for many. There may be need for us to pause and ask ourselves what or who is really ruling in our Lives?Are we responsible leaders in our places of assignment? Have a blissful celebration of Christ the Universal King.
Posted on: Sun, 23 Nov 2014 04:41:33 +0000
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