Nov. 24, 2019 34th Sunday C - Christ the King of Mercy

Nov. 24, 2019 34th Sunday C - Christ the King of Mercy

Audio Homily: https://oembed.libsyn.com/embed?item_id=12152777

It is said that all earthly kings or rulers hold power for a very limited time; with only one exception, that is Jesus Christ, all of them have not managed to outlast their death. Some kings, however, manage to hold on to limited power even after they die. Take for example the kind of power that took hold of a boy named Daniel by a renowned king. In the basement of his home, Daniel’s dad set up a video camera and began strumming his guitar, and his 2 yr. old Daniel began to sing, “Take my hand, take my whole life, too; For I can't help falling in love with you…” The king of rock n roll, Elvis, may no longer be alive on earth, but his influence was still strong for this little boy who has managed to memorize the entire lyric unbeknownst to his parents. Daniel sings the song of an earthly king, yet today we celebrate the King of Kings --Christ the King. 

We know that Jesus Christ rules all things for all eternity, for He is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End (cf. Rev. 22:13). Yet his rule is drastically different than that of earthly kings. During his earthly life, his appearance was that of an ordinary man. While we expect earthly rulers to possess power, wealth, and glamor, Jesus was stripped, nailed, and suffered on the Cross next to two criminals. On the hill of Calvary stood two groups of people. One group refused to acknowledge the kingship of Jesus and refused his lordship over their lives. While they heaped insult on Jesus crucified on the cross, Jesus asked His Father to forgive and have mercy on them for their ignorance. Another group stood with Blessed Mother around the cross in silence and in great pain. Among this group were some of the disciples who followed Jesus to Calvary. Also crucified with Jesus was the ‘good thief’ who represents all of us. In humility, he recognized his own faults and how he failed  to serve God during his earthly life. He was aware that he was a sinner in need of a Redeemer, thus his heart was open to receive undeserved forgiveness from the Lord. 

Where do we stand? Are we with the group who, out of pride, refuses to acknowledge Jesus as the King of our lives? Or are we with Blessed Mother, John, Mary Magdalene, and the ‘good thief,’ aware that Jesus is the King of Mercy and Love.  When we humble ourselves and recognize Jesus as the King of Mercy, we will lead a life in gratitude to the Father. St. Paul, a great sinner who was redeemed by Christ, gave us this reminder, “Let us give thanks to the Father, who has made you fit to share in the inheritance of the holy ones in light. He delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” (Col 1:12-14)

The classic hymn, “How Great Thou Art,” articulates well the beauty and splendor of the King of Mercy. We should be filled with wonder as we look upon the Crucifix, filled with gratitude to the King of Love who sacrificed his own life for all of us, bearing all of our sins. “There is no greater love than this,” the scripture says, “than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13) Imagine. The King of kings and the Lord of lords call us His dear friends! What joy shall fill our hearts when Our Lord takes our hand and leads us to heaven where we will proclaim, “My God, How Great Thou Art.” On this feast of Christ the King, let us prepare ourselves to welcome our King of Mercy and Love as we approach Advent season. Let us renew our prayer, our affection, and love for Him by receiving his gifts in the sacraments and by serving Him in our neighbor. In this way we wait in joyful anticipation of the Second Coming of Christ. “We adore you O Christ, and we praise You. By your holy Cross, you have redeemed the world.”