Homily Reflections for the solemnity of Christ the King—34^th Sunday in OT

 

First Reading

2 Samuel 5:1-3

 

This reading recounts the anointing of David as King of Israel.  It was in the city of Hebron that this anointing took place.  As David was anointed the people recounted the words of the Lord who said to David, “You shall shepherd my people Israel and shall be commander of Israel.” 

 

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm  122:1-2, 3-4, 4-5

 

This psalm recounts the pilgrimages of God’s people to the temple in Jerusalem.  It was in often sung as people made their way to the Holy City.  “I rejoiced because they said to me, “we will go to the House of the Lord,” and now we have set foot within your gates, O Jerusalem.”  In a similar way we should find joy in when we gather to celebrate the Eucharist.

 

Second Reading

Colossians 1:12-20

 

He delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the Kingdom of His beloved son.  Paul speaks of the universal kingship of Christ in spiritual terms.  Christ is Savior, King and God.  He made all things, is their redeemer, holds the universe together and is preeminent in every way.  His kingship is the greatest kingship, the ultimate example of a kingship.  He reigns over all things and in his endless mercy has redeemed them in his love. 

 

Gospel- Luke 23:23-43

 

The Gospel that we have today is a very interesting one; it seems out of place for the occasion.  In this gospel Christ is nailed to the cross and being jeered at by all that are passing his way.  They are mocking him and making sport of him while he is suffering.  Above our Lord was placed a sign inscribed in Hebrew, Greek and Latin: “This is the King of the Jews.”  What a dismal sight!  How could the Creator of the universe suffer so greatly? 

 

A bishop once explained the suffering of Christ this way:  “All people come into this world to live!  They want to embrace life and look forward to the many experiences that it will bring!  However, one person, our Lord came into this world to die. He came to give his life so that we might have life!  Christ had to wear a crown of thorns before he could be crowned the king of this universe.  He had to suffer, before he could enter into his reign.  Now having suffered and died, he reigns as king of the Universe.  If Christ is truly King of the universe then we must make him the king of our lives.  We mist seek first his kingdom by doing his will instead of our own.  We must see his presence in our neighbor and live and share his gospel everyday.  We must seek to make his kingdom present on earth.  Theologians often speak of the kingdom of God using the phrase  “the in-breaking” to describe how the kingdom of God is made present in our world.   The Kingdom of God is present in our world because the king has come.  The seed of the kingdom has been panted and it has taken root.  It is through faith that this kingdom is being manifested in the world and beginning to flourish.  In other words when we live the faith to the fullest the glory of the kingdom becomes manifested in our lives.  Thy Kingdom come!