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

The Preface of today’s Mass describes Christ’s kingdom as one of truth and life, holiness and grace, justice, love, and peace. This manifestation is not simply a hope for the future but something to be lived in the present. The kingdom is our hope, but we are also in the midst of the evolving process of being a part of it.

The Gospel reveals how we are to advance the fuller coming of God’s kingdom in our midst. It comes whenever we bring about justice for the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, and the oppressed. To conduct ourselves this way is to imitate the Servant-King Himself presented in our Gospels as the One who rescues us from alienation, hunger, spiritual fatigue, illness, and weakness in various parts of our being. Among His final words was a promise to the thief crucified next to Him that the eternal love of God in Paradise would surround him.

The best way to honor Christ our King is to labor to make His kingdom a reality right here on earth. Anything we do to relieve the suffering and poverty of people in our world is also a service to Christ because He identifies Himself personally with those in need.

A faithful follower of Christ the King cannot afford the indulgence of living comfortably for oneself while ignoring the needy and suffering among us. Ignoring the cries of those in need is to close our ears to Christ. Averting our eyes to the anguish of the dying is to close our eyes to Him. If we follow Jesus Christ as our Servant-king, we must somehow be servants ourselves for His sake and in His Name.