Homily for Solemnity of Christ the King of the Universe

>>This is mostly a homily I delivered in 2011 although I did revise a few things<<


She calls out to the man on the street, sir can you help me. It's cold and I've nowhere to sleep, is there somewhere you can tell me? He walks on, doesn't look back. He pretends he can't hear her. He starts to whistle as he crosses the street, she's embarrased to be there. Oh think twice, it's another day for you and me in paradise. Just think about it!

Beautiful and profound lyrics from the great Phil Collins that seem to be written for today's celebration.

We've all experienced encounters with people like the woman in this haunting song. Perhaps we've driven by the Covington Food Bank and actually seen the lines of people waiting to receive a little food to sustain them for another week. Those of us from New Orleans have no doubt seen the men lining up at Ozanam Inn, hoping for a meal and a cot to sleep through the night. And all of us have seen those on streets, off the interstates as they beg for food or help. Think twice? Or do we think once? Are we initially inclined to mutter bums, get a job or do we simply try and ignore them.

As people of faith Jesus, Christ the King, challenges us to think twice. Do we see others as our King sees them?

Today we arrive at the Solemnity of Christ the King of the Universe; the final big celebration of this liturgical year. When we gather together again for Sunday Mass we will be in Advent; hard to believe another liturgical year has passed!  Our solemnity we celebrate today is not very old; established by Pope Pius XI in 1925.

The Gospel we read today is so appropriate as we receive instruction on the type of King we celebrate. When you and I think of a king likely we think of thrones and crowns and palaces and power and elaborate events. The model for Christ the King is more of a shepherd as we can see from our 1st reading today in Ezekiel. Shepherds were so vitally important to the people of the region in the days that Jesus walked the earth. Why a shepherd as the model for Christ the King? A shepherd was the ruler over his flock. Yet the shepherd cared for his flock with great compassion and dedication. He would do anything to safeguard the flock, to maybe even lay down his life for them. With great care, he would search agressively for any lost sheep, bringing them back to the fold. And as a shepherd, his goal was to lead the flock safely to their final destination; their home. Christ the King rules over His flock too and rules over them with compassion and kindness and love. But also, Christ the King also rules with divine fairness and justice; thus he seperates the sheep from the goats; he places the righteous on his right and the accursed on his left. And then he leads His flock, along the right paths, safely to the final destination, a home that is eternal.

The path upon which He leads this flock, according to today's Gospel, looks like this: feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the ill and the prisoner. Why? For when we do for "them", we do for Him; our shepherd and our King.

Not just a shepherd, Christ the King, is also our great teacher. As a teacher, Christ the King wants us to be prepared for that all important final exam that each of us will face at the end of our lives. In His teaching today in the Gospel, Jesus is preparing us with the ultimate study guide. A good study guide may give us the questions we will face on our final exam. Christ the King not only gives us the questions, he gives us the answers too. He wants us to know that we too must feed the hungry, clothe the naked, welcome the stranger, visit the ill and the prisoner. Why? The same answer: for when we do for "them", we do for Him; our great teacher and our King!

What does today's Gospel mean for us today? How can we respond in the week ahead? After all, we are distracted today. It's Thanksgiving week; the kids are out of school, the family is coming over. The holidays are starting.  Whether it's a holiday season or not, we need not look for to find those who are hungry, thirsty, naked, ill or even in prison.  Can we this week, inspired by this Gospel, perhaps spend as much on a food package for the needy as we will on our own Thanksgiving specialty.  If you have not bought your turkey yet, go out and buy two!  Call our office, the Saint Vincent de Paul group or the Covington Food Bank; they will put that food, that turkey, even any monetary donation to good use.  We can also begin preparing for our clothing drive.  Warm coats will be collected all next month for families who truly need them; go out this week and prepare for this worthwhile effort.  Who in our lives needs a visit this week?  Who may be alone this Thanksgiving?  This week, make a visit to someone who is lonely, call a relative or friend you have not spoken to in a long time and invite someone who otherwise would spend Thanksgiving day alone.  What about prison?  Yes, you may be called to help here too.  Many of you know that prison ministry is what I do, simply see me after mass, phone or email me and I will be able to help you with this.  But don't wait, call me this week.  Finally, can we honestly say that Jesus is indeed the King of my heart and of my very life?  Sit with this Gospel at least once this week and invite Jesus to be the King of our everything!

Yes, Phil Collins sung those beautiful words and reminded us that while others struggle daily, we live in our own little "paradise". But Christ the King shows us a more beautiful way that leads to a true paradise; our eternal home.

Just think about it; think twice!