The Solemnity Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe (Homily)

November 22, 2015 11:00 am  · Deacon Rick Nevins

Homilies, Ordinary Time

Today the liturgical year comes to a close with The Solemnity Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. Although the Church has always proclaimed Jesus as Lord and King it wasn't until 1925 that the Feast of Christ the King was established. At witness to all the tensions and turmoil between the nations, Pope Pius XI wrote that the manifold evils of the world were due to the fact that a majority of men had thrust Jesus Christ and His Holy Law out of their lives. That they had no place in their private affairs or in politics. He also said, as long as individuals and states refused to submit to the rule of our Savior there would be no real hopeful prospect of lasting peace among nations.

So here we are some 90 years later and still far from peace in the world. Living as exiles in this valley of tears. But thanks be to God that we are never without hope because the Kingdom of God is at hand. And he invites all man-kind to enter into it with a humble and contrite heart. Jesus inaugurated the Kingdom to carry out the Will of the Father. First by calling men to himself through preaching and performing signs. Then accomplished the coming of the Kingdom through His death and Resurrection. As He stood before Pilate, Jesus was asked, "Then you are a king?". Jesus answered, "You say I am a king. For this I was born and came into the world, to testify to the truth.