Dear friends,
Today we celebrate the solemnity of our Lord Jesus Christ, The King of the Universe. Church and world recognition of the Kingship of Christ over all dominions, the solemnity remains an invitation for us to imitate the virtues and characteristics Jesus displays in the exercise of His Kingship.
First, Christ teaches us humility in the fulfillment of any positions of responsibility. In a world characterized by hunger for recognition and congratulations, Christ teaches us that the value of a human person is not a function of her social rank and/or how much she has achieved. Rather a human person’s worth stems from the difference she makes in the betterment of the world, understanding any responsibility as ministry and mission to fulfill in the footsteps of the Lord, the True King. From his birth in the manger in Bethlehem to his death in complete destitution, Jesus lived the virtue of humility. He shows us that humility is key to exaltation.
The solemnity of Christ the King is also about service. Jesus teaches us the true meaning of sharing in his kingship. He made it clear throughout his life when he insists that “the greatest among you must be the servant of all.” We are called to life of selfless service and, as disciples we should find our joy in serving the Lord through our commitment to serving our brothers and sisters. Jesus reminds us that we cannot embrace him and at the same live away from the commitment to courageously be involved in the life of the church, his body. In today’s selfish and self-centered world, we are reminded that serving others without asking what is for us in there is the only way we can be the reflection of Christ in our lives as disciples.
Christ the King is finally about love. A King, who is a good shepherd, gives his life for the sake of his sheep. Since we have been made members of the body and have become one with the Lord, service becomes a question of either life or death for us; a question of either our faithfulness to or our denial of our Lord in our life. Like Jesus who is Love itself as St. John tells us, for us his disciples, we can live but by and through love. We are called to be expression of God’s selfless love to the world. To love is not to have a mere feeling of attraction towards someone. True love is to be able to accept even death for the sake of others. Love is a call to death to self.
The question for all and each one of us today is: To what extend am I willing and ready to make fruitful these three virtues in my life as disciple: Humility, Service and Love in order to make the kingship of Jesus tangible in my life?
Let us continue to pray for one another and for our parish family.
Fr. Emery