Homily for the Solemnity of Christ the King

Even on the Cross Jesus is Indeed a King

Rev. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara, CSsR

Homily for the Solemnity of Christ the King

St. Thomas the Apostles Catholic Church, Hamel, Minnesota

November 23 & 24, 2019

Today’s Gospel highlights the type of people that Jesus’ executioners were; the stuff they were made. It also announces once afresh who Jesus was. Throughout the Gospel, Jesus acts in the person of God. The Gospel tells us that in their cold-heartedness, the rulers mocked Jesus and said “He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God.” In their ruthlessness, the soldiers ridiculed him and said, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself.” Even one of the criminals reviled him saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us.” Of course, they were reacting to what was inscribed above the cross of Jesus: “This is the King of the Jews.” That Jesus was regarded as the king of the Jews was profoundly offensive to the Jews. Why? Because they believed that the King— the Christ or Messiah would be greater than David. He was not supposed to be crucified. The Jews knew the words of the scripture which said that “God’s curse is on anyone who hangs on a tree” (Deuteronomy 21:23). Since Jesus has been cursed and crucified, he cannot be the king. He cannot be the Christ. For many of them, Jesus was an impostor.

But in the midst of widespread ignorance and rejection of Jesus, there was one person who acknowledged what everyone else denied and refused to acknowledge—“this man has done nothing criminal.” He also knew the right identity of Jesus. Surprisingly this person was not one of the scholars of the law; not one of the rulers, not one of the Pharisees, not one of the Scribes. The person was one of the criminals crucified along Jesus. The other criminal treated Jesus with contempt, his partner in crime admitted his guilt and immediately declared that Jesus was totally innocent. Then he requested from Jesus, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” Asking that Jesus remember him in his Kingdom is a recognition of the fact that Jesus is a King. But it even goes deeper than that. By his request, he explicitly acknowledged that even on the cross Jesus is still a King. To confirm that he is indeed a King, Jesus responded to the man’s plea exactly as a king would to his subject: “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with in Paradise.”   

Sisters and brothers, today’s Gospel (Luke 23:35-43) affirms strongly that Jesus is indeed the King of the universe. Even on the cross, he remains the most authentic King who has power to forgive sins and reward even a criminal with eternal life in heaven. It also teaches us that it is never too late to turn to the Lord. Some things may be too late to get done. It’s too late for me now to be a football star or a world class soccer player. It may be too late for some of us to have another child. It may be too late for some of us to go back to school. It may be too late for some of us now to attempt to climb Mount Everest or any other mountain out there. But when it comes to turning to Jesus Christ, we can never say that it is too late. So long as someone’s heart beats, the invitation to turn to the Lord still stands. As we always say, “When there is life, there is hope.”  

This story also challenges us not to be intimidated especially if we are the lone voice of righteousness. As more and more people turn away from God, we must strive to remain the lone voice of God in our community. As more and more people deny the Kingship of Jesus, we must be the lone voice shouting in words and deeds that Jesus Christ is the Lord and King. As more and more Christians become cold and lukewarm in the practice of their faith, our faith must speak up and dispel the darkness around us. As more and more Catholics pick and choose what aspect of our faith they want to believe and practice, be the voice of truth. To be a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ is to be servants of truth- truth that liberates and renews, truth that gives and sustains life and hope, truth that transcends rationalizations, half-truths and delusions. To be his disciples, we must become servants of all he taught and did.