When we think of kings we think of pomp and circumstance. Think of the grandeur of a coronation, of the lavish ceremony of opening the house of parliament. It is all so grand.
Today we celebrate the feast of Christ the King, Christ our king. And how does our gospel present him. A cheap politician wanting to keep the favor of an angry mob instead of seeing justice done and release an innocent man, shows Jesus to the mob with the mocking words, ‘behold your king.’ Jesus the King stands before the crowd wearing the purple of monarchy and a mock crown of piercing thorns, holding a stick as his sceptre totally mocked, totally humiliated. The crowd yells, away with him, crucify him; we have no king put Caesar.
The cross of Jesus bears the title, Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.
When Pilate asked Jesus, are you a king Jesus answer I am but by kingdom is not of this world, my kingdom does not imitate the kings of this world. I am king of the poor, the disposed, the homeless, I am the king of the immigrant, the un-employed, the exploited worker, I am king of the widow and the orphan, I am king of the sick and infirmed, and I am king of the nobodies of this world. I am king of the faithful husbands and wives; I am king of loving parents and their children. I am king of the men and women who staff food banks and out of the cold shelters; I am king of those who care for the street people. I am king of any man or woman who stands for truth and life, I am king of people of holiness and grace, I am king of those who foster justice love and peace.
Behold our crucified king hanging naked and bleeding from his throne; his cross. And we are his faith subject, faithful followers when try as best we can when we are there for people in need and when we are accepting of men and women of a different faith, a different political opinion or a different lifestyle from our own. On his cross Jesus Crucified, Jesus our King with his arms stretched wide welcomed his fellow victim as he welcomes all who are open to his invitation; come to me.
We know Christ is our King we our arms, our hearts and our minds are open wide to receive other men and women who think differently, believe differently or live differently than ourselves.
This Homily entry was posted on Sunday, November 24th, 2019.
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