C Cycle – Feast of Christ the King 25

Lk, 23:35-4

My apologies for continuing to call this Sunday “the feast of Christ the King.’  But since the past feast day homilies are titled that way it made sense to me for anyone searching my past homilies to use the old title. 

The prophets spoke of visions of thrones, angels worshipping, great multitudes of angels praising and of a king who will rule forever.  Isiah, spoke of heaven being the place where God dells and the earth being the footstool as the place where God dwells. The scriptures are filled with images of the King of the Universe and His absolute command over all the earth.

Yet, we never see Jesus do anything that would indicate His kingship was anything near our image of a King. Even when the Israelites demanded a king, God gave that king absolute control over the people.  God told them a king could take their sons and daughters, a portion of their crops, flocks, property, and they still demanded a king.  We know Saul, David and Soloman did have concubines and amazed amazing wealth.

But it seems that the primary role of the king was to protect them from their enemies, decide disputes between the people and ensure their future. In fact, the king was the commander of the armies and led them in battle. So, as we celebrate this feast of Christ as King, we must discard our knowledge of how kings in our time rule and live. Depending on where you live, your image of a king may be based on personal experience.  But here in America, our attitude toward kings was to reject and overthrow any power they had over our daily lives. 

Today there are forty four monarchies in existence.  Those we are most familiar with are England, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Brunei, Cambodia, and most of the middle east countries. Yet other than the middle east countries they do not seem to exercise any authority to implement policies over their people. 

If we are measuring the worth of a king by how they ruled their nation, then Jesus would not be considered much of a king at all.  Yet, God did put all things under His feet.  Jesus never did and never will demand anything of us because He wants you to embrace Him willingly as the Lord of your life. Rather than demand allegiance, Jesus waits until we come to our senses: the prodigal son parable. 

Instead of taking something away from us, Jesus wants to give us new life, meaning and purpose, and a desire to submit our will to His.  Instead of taking away what we worked so hard to build, Jesus wants to add to what we have done: the parable of the ten talents.  Instead of judging us, Jesus wants to show us what ware truly seeking: the woman at the well.  Instead of demanding ten percent of all our wealth, Jesus wants to increase our understanding of wealth: the parable of the rich man.

Yes, we are celebrating Jesus as king but not because He ever acted like a king.  No, we are celebrating His willingness to die for us, allowing us to possess the kingdom God created for us at the beginning of time. A place where there is no sickness, no famines, no wars, no jealousies, envy, or spite.  A place where all are welcomed:  sinners and saints because His death has made it possible for all of us toe be saints.

But Jesus does demand something of us.  We must love one anther as Jesus loved.  We must seek the kingdom instead of just acknowledging it exists.  We must stand before Him and admit we need Him for without Him, we would still be wandering in the desert looking for happiness, seeking fame, ignoring others, and satisfying our selfish desires. 

Jesus was sent by God to prepare the way for us to stand before God in righteousness.  This celebration of Christ the King would not be complete without understanding He left us an Advocate who would teach us, transform us, and give voice to our ability to worship the King of Kings.