HOMILY FOR THE SOLEMNITY OF CHRIST THE UNIVERSAL KING (Year C)

Homily for Solemnity of Christ the Universal king

Table of the Word:

R1:    2 Samuel 5:1-3

R 2:   Colossians 1:12-20

Gospel:  Luke 23:35-43

Theme: The Kingship of Christ the Lord.

Today, the Holy Mother Church celebrates a tripartite events in her liturgy: 

* The solemnity of Christ the universal King

*The culmination of the Liturgical Year C

* And for this region (Nigeria) the second part of the solemnity of Corpus Christi, that is the euchatistic procession. 

These three events revolve around a prominent character, whose life, teaching and sacrifice has given man hope beyond telling - the man Jesus Christ, whom Evangelist John described as the Ruler of the kings of the earth (cf. Revelation 1:5).

There are kings and there are kingdoms, but amidst this multiplicity of these kingdoms and thrones, none can be compared to the kingdom or kingship of Christ. His kingdom is eternal, not bought or canvas for. This same kingdom has no favouritism, everyone is a first born son or daughter, no one is bought or sold for He Himself has paid in full through the paschal mystery of passion, death and resurrection (cf. Galatians 5:1).

Consequently, His kingship gives humanity hope amidst confusion, it dispels darkness that engulfed us through sin and then reconciled us to His Father (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:18). His reign is central to our believe system, as He is God who has come with might to reign for eternity and satisfy the deepest needs and longings of His people (cf. Isaiah 40:9; 10).

However, our confession of Him as Christ the King of universe, implies that He is the beginning and the end whose reign means eternal life and peace for the people of God and eternal judgment for the enemies of God. He is called the Christ (which means the anointed one) in part because he has been ordained, empowered, and accepted by God to reign as the eternal king over the creation and especially over the Church.

In the gospel pericope, Evangelist Luke gave an insight of what it means to be a King adorned for a salvific mission. The mockery, scoffing and rebuking actions of the Jewish rulers did not perturbed our Lord, for He knew what His kingly mission meant; not that of the world. He endured the insult for our sake. (cf. Luke 23:35-43) 

He taught us what it means to be humble irrespective of our offices and status. For it is God's plan that none of us should lost except one who wish to lost. His love for us made us to share in His kingdom as St. Paul in his epistle to the Colossians Church avers. (cf.Colossians 1:12)

How then do we reciprocate this gesture? Between Christ kingship and the worldly kingship, which one do we pay allegiance to? Does our lives reflect members of Christ's kingdom? These and many are pertinent questions we need to give answer to. 

The kingdom in question is not far from us, though we often pray in the Lord's Prayer "Thy Kingdom Come" that kingdom as Origen in his teaching on prayer says: "The kingdom of God is with us. The Word is very near us; it is on our lips and on our heart...." 

Therefore, let us with joy as the psalmist invited us today go into God's house as the children of the Kingdom of Christ, whose kingship is eternal. Let us give the King chance to reign in our heart, through our thoughts, words and actions. For when we do this, our perishability nature will be transformed into imperishability.

Finally, we will all move into various nooks and crannies of our environment with Jesus in the Holy Eucharist, publicly proclaiming His Kingship, let these words of acclamation be found in our actions. Let there be transformation and change as people of the kingdom even after the event. For He desires not only the words but actions.

Peace, be with you!