Homily for the Solemnity of Our Lord Christ, King of the Universe

November 24, 2024
St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church
Prosper, Texas

Daniel 7:13-14
Psalm 93:1, 1-2, 5
Revelation 1:5-8
John 18:33b-37

Not living in an era of kings, the feast of Christ the King may seem a little foreign to us. The age of kings and queens is past, although the finery and grandeur of that past still captures our imagination. Even more, the power and its benefits that royalty brought is still an object desired by countless men and women. However, the age of kings was also a time of chivalry and courage, honor and obedience, duty and loyalty, virtues that should still be sought. We, though, live in an age that enshrines equality and individualism and that places value on our sovereignty. The ethic of this world is encapsulated by the phrase, “No one has dominion over us, and we are nobody’s servants.”

Daniel’s vision challenges this contemporary ethic, though, since he reveals us to be servants of one who has received all dominion, glory, and kingship. The psalm response sings of regal splendor, a great and immovable throne for one who is mighty and majestic and whose decrees are worthy of trust. The Book of Revelation, which is an account of another vision, portrays an absolute ruler who is the Beginning and the End, the Almighty, the One who was, who is, and who is to come. This King uses his power wisely to free us from sin and to witness to God’s faithfulness and generosity. This King is Jesus Christ.

In John’s Gospel, all our images of kingliness are reversed. Here we find the king who washes his servants’ feet, and who is not just courageous and noble but also vulnerable and compassionate, sincere and truthful. He does not muster armies or amass territories. Pontius Pilate, the confused and curious Roman governor tries to grasp this kind of kingship, but he cannot understand a kingdom that is not of this world … a kingdom not of power but of peace. Jesus is a king who does not demand ransom but offers Himself as a ransom. He will conquer through suffering and death.

The gifts of the Holy Spirit that you will receive through my ministry in this sacrament: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord, enable you to reject the false and dishonest ethic of this world and to embrace true freedom in surrendering to the sovereignty of Christ, who came to serve and not to be served.

Pope Benedict XVI once observed on this feast day many years ago which I share with you today, “Christ came ‘to bear witness to the truth,’ as He declared to Pilate: whoever accepts His witness serves beneath His ‘banner,’ according to the image dear to Saint Ignatius of Loyola. Every conscience, therefore, must make a choice. Who do I want to follow? God or the Evil One? The truth or falsehood? Choosing Christ does not guarantee success according to the world’s criteria but assures the peace and joy that He alone can give us.”

Like Pilate, we also may have struggle with this kind of kingship. We can view Christ as a threat to our freedom to do whatever we please. We feel worldly desires of comfort, control, and conquest, both over ourselves and those who we encounter in our lives. Yet, like Pilate, we’re also attracted to Jesus whose ambition is not to dominate but to serve His heavenly Father and to liberate sinners. The human heart longs for a king who promises a kingdom of forgiveness and hope, of justice and peace, of compassion and charity. Only the grace of the Holy Spirit can fulfill that longing. May you accept the fortitude and the other gifts that the Holy Spirit gives you today to let Christ be your King by accepting the call to imitate His selfless service and to embrace your share in His Cross of selfless love for God and for others.