Christ the King Homily (Extraordinary Form)

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King. It is Christ who instructs us, “My Kingdom is not of this world.” So often we attempt to build up an earthly kingdom for ourself. It is this kingdom which will pass away with the passing of time. Christ assures us of something greater which we ought to apply ourself towards. We must desire that Christ the King reign in our midst not only at the end of time, but each and every moment of our life on this earth.

We are instructed at the end of Mass, “Go forth the Mass is ended.” We say “thanks be to God” not because the Mass is over, but because we have been sent forth to live what we have received in Word and in Sacrament. We have received Christ the King of Kings and Lord of Lords into our heart and thus we are to be sent into the world in order to bring Him with us into all of life’s moments.

Pope Pius XI established this feast in order that we may be reminded that Christ belongs at the very center of public life. There have been many voices that have sprung up throughout the world’s history which have attempted to silence Christ. Each and every one of these voices has failed to silence such a wondrous Name such as that of Christ Jesus. We cannot allow such a mentality to creep into our own life.

How we approach the world around us should be informed by Christ. If this is to be so then we need to make sure that we know Christ. We cannot be sent forth to spread the love of Christ if we fail to enter into this love that has been expressed to us from the throne of the cross. It was here that Christ shows His love for us as He came to lay down His life for us as an outpouring of love that has been extended to us and to the whole world.

One assumption that we cannot make is that everyone already knows Christ. There are some, even here in the south, who know nothing about Him. When we are sent forth from here we have an opportunity to bring Him to these individuals through our words and actions. There is nothing that we can do if we do it exempt from Christ and there is nothing that we cannot do if we do it in Christ’s Name.

We should not look upon the world and see a negative picture. It is true that sin and vice exist. Nevertheless, I look upon the world and know that no matter how bad things may look that Christ has triumphed. I know that He has entered into this world in order that we would be redeemed. I know that the Kingdom that He establishes is a Kingdom which will never pass away.

Let us be people of faith and hope who model their life as a reflection of this Kingdom. Through your interactions in life you are making this reality so. Our families must be based upon this loving God who has come to redeem us. Let us always make time for Him especially within our homes. Our home should be a place where we allow Christ the King to reign victorious.

Long live Christ the King!