Homily: Feast of Christ the King
Feast of Christ the King (Jn. 33b-37)
The primary theme of Jesus’ preaching concerned the Kingdom of God. How well do we understand it? The Kingdom God isn’t a simple concept. In the popular mindset Jesus’ Kingdom is in heaven. We wait for the end of the world for this Kingdom to be revealed. Another belief is that when we die our life in the Kingdom begins. But Jesus says life in the Kingdom doesn’t have to be postponed for it can begin right now.
The Gospel of John, which we read from today, doesn’t use the term Kingdom of God much. We only see the term used twice. In the other three gospels Jesus preaches about the Kingdom of God far more often. He uses parables to describe what the Kingdom of God is like. All this allegory gives the Kingdom of God a mysterious aura. The Kingdom of God usually turns the world’s values upside down.
In the Gospel of John Jesus is much more likely to be described as a king then in the other Gospels. The people Jesus meets tell him he is a king. Jesus is reluctant to use such title. But in the short passage we read today the term king or kingdom is used six times by Pilate and Jesus.
What is going on here? Pilate, it seems, is trying to understand why Jesus is such a controversial figure. When he hears the word King regarding Jesus, he latches on to it. For Kings are all about domination and power. Pilate understands these things. If Jesus is trying to take over the world, then he is a threat. But Pilate doesn’t understand humility. Humility was a curiosity in Greco Roman culture. Jesus was always the humble servant. Humility to Pilate was craziness. How do we feel about it?
Someone once said that Jesus’ crucifixion was his coronation as King. Coronations are the moment when a monarch begins their rule. What are some of the symbols that we see at a coronation. Usually, the king is seated on a throne. When the king sits upon the throne, he takes possession of the lands he will rule. If a king is crowned in exile, he seldom succeeds. No, the king must be seated where he will rule. A king holds a scepter and orb in his hands when he is seated on his thrown. The orb represents earthly power as does the scepter. A sword is usually given to the king that speaks of his supreme command of the military of his Kingdom. Finally, a crown is placed upon the king made of precious metal. The crown represents the wealth of the Kingdom. Also, it symbolizes a rule that won’t end.
What were the elements of Jesus coronation? The throne Jesus sat on was the cross. He sat on a block of wood affixed to the cross. His hands and feet were nailed to his throne. Jesus was given a scepter, but it was a simple reed that he held in his hand. A lance that was plunged into his side was the sword that Jesus received. Jesus wore a crown of thorns. It was a crown that represented unending servitude.
How many kings in the history of the world had a coronation that was a public execution? Only one, Jesus Christ. St. Paul puts it well in first chapter of the Letter to the Corinthians when he writes:
The message of the cross is complete absurdity to those headed for ruin, but to us who are experiencing salvation it is the power of God. Scripture says, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and thwart the cleverness of the clever.”
Most people would look at the death of Jesus saying, “His was a life defined by powerlessness. His was a life punctuated by humiliation. He left this world with no wealth, no titles, no great achievements. But isn’t the basis of the Christian message? Our goals don’t revolve around what is of value to non-believers. Our values are always caught up in what will last forever: love, peace, joy, faithfulness, gentleness, generosity, patience, chastity. These are jewels on the crown Jesus wore. And these are fruits of the Kingdom that we say we want to live in.