This time of year, I always love the nostalgia that comes with all of the usual rhythm and routine of things. In particular, I can always remember our Thanksgiving traditions. We would be up early, then we would do something particularly unexpected- we would go to Mass at nine, and then we would come home. Mom would usually bake a green bean casserole, and then we did the hallmark thing that really defined the entire day- we would go and visit my grandma Belken’s house. I can still remember the feeling, the sight, the sounds of it, because it was just so regular. What’s more, I remember there was something I enjoyed more than all of the rest of the day- that feeling of comfort. Grandma’s house was something familiar, something peaceful, and something that I always came to really treasure and to enjoy. No matter what else happened, it was always there and was always a constant in life.
Today, as a Church, we celebrate a solemnity called “Christ Jesus, King of the Universe.” This is always celebrated on the last Sunday of Ordinary Time in this cycle. As we enter into the liturgy itself, and the readings for this Christ the King Sunday, we heard a lot about a house- namely the house of the Lord. We can understand this in a particular way, but there is really so much more meaning when we understand that this is the house is something so much more. It isn’t our house, it isn’t even our grandmothers house- it is truly God’s house and the kingdom of heaven. We are rounding out the very last week of the liturgical year this week, before we begin Advent, and because of this- it invites us to consider what God’s house is, but also what that means to us in the grand scheme of our faith and our relationship with God.
If we start out in the first reading, we are given a view from the second book of Samuel. This passage is giving us a view of the ways that the tribes of Israel celebrated David’s presence amongst them- and how they felt that he would make an appropriate ruler and king to him. So, they begin by speaking. To him: “Here we are, your bone and your flesh.” They are reminding David of his position and place amongst them, and how he has also been drawn out from their midst. Yet, he hasn’t sought this kingship but the people actually sought him out. He had proved himself through all sorts of adversity, and because of this he was anointed king and was then selected amongst them to lead them in a particular and powerful way.
Yet, if we read this, we realize that this was a special type of king for a special king of people, and yet, there is only a temporal nature to this kingship. Eventually, David dies, and his kingship fades away. There is a problem with this, because, as good as the nation of Israel had it under him, it faded. Is there a better kingship possible?
In fact, there is. The second reading, from the second letter of Saint Paul to the Colossians gives us a complete picture of what a much better and more full king looks like. So, he begins- let us give thanks to the Father, who has made you fit to share in the inheritance of the holy ones in light. What Paul goes into for the next few verses is actually incredible. It is an entire review of Christology- meaning the study of who Jesus Christ was. One of the most important themes present here, though, is the fact that he has a kingdom- and that kingdom belongs to Christ. How do we enter that kingdom? We are able to enter only through the redemption of the Son- and the forgiveness of our sins. What the second part of this reading goes through is the ways that He is such an important and vital king- that he is the one who makes peace- the one who gives each one of us that chance of peace, whether we are on the earth right now, or we speak of those that have already entered into the kingdom of heaven. Christ makes all of this possible- and He is the one who holds all things together- as he leads his Body in the Church.
Finally, we arrive at the Gospel, and this actually confronts a particularly potent scene in the life of Christ. We all know that Jesus is a king, and perhaps we would come to expect that kingship to impact us in a particular way. Yet, notice, it isn’t just about the ways that Jesus looks triumphant- but it is about the way that He truly triumphs. Through the Cross- Jesus Christ reigns from on high. That is a major difference, and because of this, it almost looks like a king of weakness, because of our worldly standard that can truly take hold. So, the image that we are presented with is the crucifixion. We hear about the inscription- the king of the Jews, and how that was considered a mockery- and how they consider it to be truly insulting to Jesus. Yet, that work was all the more important, because it shows just how powerful a king we have.
The interaction between the criminals there is actually a powerful moment as well. We know that Jesus is crucified with two individuals- one on his right, and the other on his left. One choses to revile and push back against Christ. He wants to be saved in a very temporary way. He doesn’t want to be on his cross any longer, and so he pushes back and antagonizes Jesus because he is at such a loss. Yet, notice the other. The other is aware of the ways that he has fallen and failed. He is aware of his own brokenness, and how he has ultimately failed and is being punished. Yet, notice something particular- this man asks Jesus to be able to enter into His Kingdom! This is peculiar, because it isn’t about trying to escape the temporal nature of this life, but it is about trying to escape much worse things- eternal death. And because of that, Jesus gives him a final promise- that he will be with Jesus in paradise. What does that mean? Jesus is willing to grant him access to the kingdom of God- and to His House.
Isn’t that a wonderful thought, though? My brothers and sisters- we are in a world that is rapidly passing away. If we simply look around we are confronted with a world that is largely temporary. Just take a look outside. All of the trees are dropping their leaves, the air is getting colder, and we notice everything dying away. Further, when we look at our lives, we understand that life is short. We know that loved ones and friends pass away. Even when we look at our buildings, and perhaps even my grandmother’s house, we are confronted with a reality- we aren’t made to live in this life forever. No matter how much it may seem like a kingdom on this earth, it isn’t going to last that long.
Perhaps that is something worth reflecting on right now. We are celebrating the fact that Jesus Christ is a king, but not in a way that we might expect, but in a way that far exceeds our wildest expectations. Yet, do we choose Him as king? This is an important moment, because we are actually invited to consider the way we need to look past the comforts of this life, and look towards the ones that are in the kingdom to come. This is not an escapable reality- but one that will come for each one of us. That might be a bit daunting- but does it need to be?
Think about the ways that we have comfort in the kingdom that Christ wishes to give to each one of us. Yet, it isn’t a kingdom that is empty of meaning, but it is rather a place that we have to choose. Perhaps, as we enter into the season of advent very soon, we are going to be given a moment to consider- what is one way that we can choose to get closer to this kingdom, or choose away from the kingdoms that we might currently be in? This is the perfect time to make choices to get closer to that kingdom. Are we looking to rid ourselves of sins that we have struggled with before? Are we looking for a new way to get closer to Christ- perhaps by adding some prayer in over these next few weeks, or even reading scripture on a daily basis as we get ready for the seasons that are coming up?
The reality of the kingdom of Christ- it is so much more important than every sort of comfort- or perhaps even our own grandmother’s house. Rather, it is something that is eternal, and something that lasts forever.
May we be so bold as to put Jesus Christ as our King- and as the King of the Universe.
