First reading: Dn 7:13-14: The vision of Daniel
Ps 93:1,1-2,5: The Lord is King; he is robed in majesty.
Second reading: Rev 1:5-8: Jesus Christ, the first born from the dead.
Gospel: John 18:33b-37. Are you the king of the Jews?
Homily
Introduction
Today is the last Sunday of the liturgical year B. Liturgical year ends with a high proclamation that Jesus Christ is the King of the Universe. He is the Alpha and Omega. He dominates every power on earth and every knee shall bend (genuflect) at name of Jesus like the magi.
History of the institution of Christ the King Solemnity (1925)
Pope Pius XI was closing the Holy Year 1925 (like the coming Jubilee year 2025) by inserting into the sacred liturgy a special feast of the Kingship of Our Lord Jesus Christ. He instituted it with his encyclical Quas primas (in the first) given on 11th of December 1925. He gave this feast in the context of the growing secularism, atheism and that followed the fall of European kingdoms after the first world war. This solemnity reminds us that governments of this world will come and go, but the Christ reigns as King will be forever with no end. This solemnity invites and encourages us to witness our faith in public.
After the intuition of the solemnity, the first Parish dedicated to Christ the king in the world was in Cincinnati, Ohio (USA), in 1926.
Sermon starter:
Cristeros were crying Viva Cristo Rey 1926-1929:
Cristeros’ (soldiers of Christ) story is of the catholic in Mexico against the government in the year 1926. The government rule of Plutarco Elias Calles came heavily on the Catholic Church. The foreign priests were deported, the local priest were banned and public worship was stopped. The revolutionary government confiscated all church property, including hospitals, monasteries, convents and schools. The dominion of the government was defended by Christians through their faith, by a group called Cristeros and their slogan was viva Cristo Rey (Long live Christ the King).
We have a beautiful witness of Saint Jose Sanchez del Rio called Joselito- a young Cristero of 14 years was one of the inspiration who witnessed Christ during the time of persecution. Joselito- the little boy while taking permission from his mother to join the cristeros, said “Mama, do not let me lose the opportunity to gain Heaven so easily and so soon”. He was captured and tortured- by tearing the soles of his feet and making him to walk up to his grave: He says, “It had never been so easy to earn heaven”. But he continued witnessing his faith through the slogan, “Long live Christ the King! Long Live the Virgin of Guadalupe!”
Commentary:
First reading: Daniel 7: 13-14.
The Book of prophet Daniel has 12 chapters. Chapters 1-6 describes the life and times of Daniel and Chapters 7-12 describe visions of Daniel. Chapter 7 from the book of Daniel starts with the dominions of the four beasts (ch 7:4-8).
1) Like lion who had wings of eagle (- lion and eagle are kings of their realms representing empire of Babylonian),
2) Like a bear (a bear is slower, stronger and more crushing than a lion- it represent Medes-Persian empire).
3) Like a Leopard with four wings (signifies swift) and four heads (signifies as clever) (is known for sudden, unexpected attacks representing Greek empire).
4) Fourth beast dreadful and terrible. It had 10 horns. (it represents Roman empire).
These four beasts or kingdom are destroyed and the Son of Man takes the throne. Their dominions are taken away. This passage describes the transition from human dominion on earth to divine dominion. The son of man succeeds the reign of the beast (empires). The title Son of Man is referred to Jesus in the gospel at least 40 times. He receives all dominion held by the beasts and his reign will be permanent.
Psalm 93: The Majesty of God –
Psalm 93 describes Theocracy (Kingship of God). In this psalm we have the kingship of God, who created the world by defeating the sea. God is King, the Lord reigns is symbolically shown as ruling over the sea and floods the figures of chaos and rebellion.
Revelation 1: 5-8: The book of revelation is the revelation of Jesus Christ.
In the first chapter 1:5-8 John gives us the presentation of Jesus: we have the greetings of grace and peace from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the first born of the dead and ruler of the kings.
a) The faithful witness: Jesus is faithful to Father and to his people. The word martyr
means witness.
b) First born from the dead – the first person resurrected.
c) He is the ruler over the kings: He will have dominance over every earthly kings.
d) As Lord He loved us first and when we were dirty he washed us (cleansed us). This washing proves love. To this loving Jesus we give glory and dominion: we give him glory for everything he has done for us and for what he is. Dominion means to let someone to rule over some. So the dominion of Jesus is to allow him truly to rule over us: our body, soul and spirit.
e) Amen it simply means “YES”.
In the verse 7 we have a description of Jesus’ return: he is coming on clouds. Clouds are associated with God’s presence and glory. And every eye will see Him: his first coming was obscure/ simple and now it won’t be a secret. Even they who pierced him- this is the reminder of his previous rejection.
In the verse 8 we have the self-introduction from Jesus himself: I am the alpha and omega (A-Z), beginning and end, who is, was and who is to come, the Almighty. The basic idea of this sentence is that Jesus was before all things and will beyond all things.
Gospel John 18: 33b-37: To Understand this passage, we must read the chapters 18-19
(which starts from betrayal and arrest of Jesus…). Pilate has only one concern and that is to know if Jesus is a threat to Rome. V.33 are you the king of Jews? V 36-37: My kingdom is not of this world: He is king and his kingdom is heavenly, of God and not earthly kingdom. He seeks Godly Kingdom.
A different kind of King: compassionate and loving
Jesus begins his ministry without an army and without a people. After the multiplication of loaves, the multitude wanted to make him a king. People wanted the material favors but Jesus affirmed his kingdom is not of this earth. The people welcomed him in Jerusalem with the palm leaves and slogans of Hosannas (victory parade). Pilate asked him, “are you the king of Jews?” my kingship is not of this world. If my kingship were of this world, my servants would fight that I might not be handed over to the Jews. While Jesus was crucified: on the cross it was written: INRI (Jesus of Nazareth the king of Jews). A King with a Sacred Heart: full of love and Compassion. A Servant-Leader-King. Therefore, a different kind of King who loves, serves and saves his people.
Points to ponder:
1. The incarnation– the first coming of Jesus was obscure, weak, simple and servant
type. After his death and resurrection, it is reflected as glorious: The Son of Man is
coming with clouds that is in glory.
2. The solemnity of Christ the King reminds us of Jesus who has defeated sin, death,
Satan and conquered every dominion and powers. Therefore, everyone should bend
their knee at his name.
3. He is majestic and all powerful– omnipotent but he rules with Love and mercy. Jesus loved us first and then he washed us from our sinfulness.
4. Christ the King is faithful to God and his people.
5. We are Cristeros – the soldiers of Christ and Christ is our king. We witness Him.
Written by Fr. Marcus Fernandes OFM.Cap
(Cathedral of Our Lady of Arabia, Awali, Bahrain)