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Christ the King (B)

November 24, 2024

Fr. John Colacino C.PP.S.

Introit

Collect

Almighty ever-living God,
whose will is to restore all things
in your beloved Son, the King of the universe,
grant, we pray,
that the whole creation, set free from slavery,
may render your majesty service
and ceaselessly proclaim your praise.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.

First Reading Dn 7:13-14

I, Daniel, had a dream and visions as I lay in bed. 13 As I watched in the night visions, I saw one like a human being coming with the clouds of heaven. And he came to the Ancient One and was presented before him. 14 To him was given dominion and glory and kingship, that all peoples, nations and languages should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not pass away, and his kingship is one that shall never be destroyed.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 93:1,1-2,5

R/. The LORD is king; he is robed in majesty.

Second Reading Rv 1:5-8

Jesus Christ is the faithful witness, 5 the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 7 Look! He is coming with the clouds; every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and on his account all the tribes of the earth will lament. So it is to be. Amen. 8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Alleluia Mk 11:9,10

Gospel Jn 18:33b-37

Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?” 35 Pilate replied, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish authorities. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” 37 Pilate asked him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”

Catena Nova

The Kingdom of God is greater than all report, better than all praise of it, more manifold than every conceivable glory. The Kingdom of God is so full of light, peace, charity, wisdom, glory, honesty, sweetness, loving-kindness and every unspeakable and unutterable good, that it can neither be described nor envisioned by the mind….In the eternal Kingdom there shall be life without death, truth without falsehood, and happiness without a shadow of unrest or change (St. Patrick of Ireland).

Christ's kingdom is here until the end of time, and until the harvest it will contain weeds. The harvest is the end of the world, when the reapers, who are the angels, will come “and gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin”; and this could not happen if his kingdom were not here. But even so, it is not from here, for it is in exile in the world. Christ says to his kingdom: “You are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.” They were indeed of the world when they belonged to the prince of this world, before they became his kingdom....For so has God snatched us from the powers of darkness, and brought us into the kingdom of his beloved Son: that kingdom of which he said: “My kingdom is not of this world; my kingly power does not come from here.” (St. Augustine of Hippo)

Christ will reign in the hearts of all those who believe and follow him and will reign there forever. Yes, God’s Kingdom is the heart of each believer and faithful follower. God’s Kingdom is my heart and yours. How glorious that Kingdom will be where all are united contemplating God’s splendor and shining like the sun with God’s power and glory. God grant that Jesus, out of his love, may remember me on that day and deliver me from all that blocks his reign in my heart! Come, Lord Jesus! Take away every stumbling block to the realization of your Kingdom in my heart and soul. You ought to reign in me, so let it happen fully (St. Bernard of Clairvaux).

For those who abandon themselves to it, God's love contains every good thing, and if you long for it with all your heart and soul it will be yours. All God asks for is love, and if you search for this kingdom where God alone rules, you can be quite sure you will find it. For if your heart is completely devoted to God, your heart itself is this treasure, this very kingdom which you desire so ardently (Fr. Jean Pierre de Caussade).

The only kingdom which can defy and conquer the world is one which is not of this world. This conquest is not only an ultimate possibility but a constant and immediate one. In every moment of existence those "who are of the truth" hear the Christ’s voice, warning, admonishing and guiding them in their actions. The real truth condemns their lies; pure justice indicts their injustice; the law of love reveals their selfishness; and the vision of God reveals their true centre and source of existence. They may continue to be disobedient to the heavenly vision; but they can never be as they have been. The kingdom which is not of this world is thus a more dangerous peril to the kingdoms of the world than any competing worldly kingdom. One nation may be destroyed by another more powerful nation. But civilisations and cultures in their larger historical development are never destroyed by external enemies without first having destroyed themselves. The force of their destruction is not only their own violation of the law of life but the loss of their moral authority under the challenge of those who speak against their power in the name of the Kingdom of God....It is hardly necessary to draw the conclusion from this fact that those who draw their inspiration from Christ’s Kingdom must limit themselves to purely moral weapons in contending against historic injustice….The Kingdom of God is relevant to every moment of history as an ideal possibility and as a principle of judgment upon present realities. Sometimes it must be obeyed in defiance of the world, though such obedience means crucifixion and martyrdom (Reinhold Niebuhr).

The title [“King of the Jews”] is, of course, heavily ironic. Pilate knows that Jesus doesn’t conform to any meaning of the word “king” with which he is familiar. Jesus himself, as we saw, had redefined “kingship” in his conversation with the governor, insisting that his kind of kingship meant bearing witness to the truth.... Jesus, John is saying, is the true king whose kingdom comes in a totally unexpected fashion, folly to the Roman governor and a scandal to the Jewish leaders....The fact that the kingdom is redefined by the cross doesn’t mean that it isn’t still the kingdom. The fact that the cross is the kingdom-bringing event doesn’t mean that it isn’t still an act of horrible and brutal injustice, on the one hand, and powerful, rescuing divine love, on the other. The two meanings are brought into dramatic and shocking but permanent relation (N .T. Wright).

What is the “truth” that Christ came into the world to witness to? The whole of His life reveals that God is love – so this is the truth to which He witnessed to the full, with the sacrifice of His own life on Calvary…. He is Love and Truth and neither Love nor Truth are ever imposed, they come knocking at the doors of the heart and the mind and where they can enter they bring peace and joy. This is how God reigns, this is His project of salvation, a “mystery” in the biblical sense of the word, a plan that is gradually revealed in history (Pope Benedict XVI).

Homily

“Long live Christ the King.” Those were the last words spoken by Fr. Miguel Agustín Pro, who died on November 23, 1927. On that day every year the Catholic Church observes a memorial in honor of this Mexican priest because, at great risk to his life, he carried out his priestly duties during the Mexican Revolution whose leaders were fiercely anti-Catholic. After many close calls with the authorities, Fr. Pro and his two brothers were falsely accused of plotting an attempt on the newly-elected president of Mexico’s life. Without a trial, they were sentenced to death by firing squad. As Fr. Pro reached the place of execution, he asked for a few moments to pray. After kneeling, he rose to face his executioners, refusing a blindfold. He then stretched out his arms in the form of a cross, and shouted for all to hear, “Viva Cristo Rey!” --”Long live Christ the King!” He fell seconds later, his body riddled with bullets. Fr. Pro was 36 years old, and a priest for little more than two. Some estimates count 30,000 other "Cristero" martyrs, as they came to be known, of whom only a small number have been formally beatified or canonized.

Among other little-known martyrs of the last century – clergy, religious and lay -- are those murdered during the Spanish Civil War of the 1930s by revolutionary forces during the so-called “Red Terror.” Of that number, 3,500 have been beatified or canonized with another 4,000 likely in the coming years (Catholic News Agency; October 8, 2024). Like their Mexican counterparts, the words “Long live Christ the King” were often their last.

For all of these people were victims of movements and regimes that could not tolerate their allegiance to Christ the King. So their blood was mixed with his: the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead and ruler of the kings of the earth…who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood (II). Indeed, it’s been said more Christians were put to death for their witness to Christ in the last century than all previous centuries combined, including the persecutions of the Roman Empire: their persecutors acting as latter-day Caesars, placing ideologies and the supposed interests of the state ahead of God’s. And all of them, please note, rising to power in countries with long-standing Christian histories.

Of course, politicians have never had an easy time of it. Look at poor Pilate’s dilemma when faced with the One who was born and came into the world to testify to the truth, claiming for himself an authority greater than Pilate’s, and a kingdom that does not belong to this world (cf. G). How did Pilate deal with the challenge Truth posed? By asking him cynically, What is truth? (Jn. 18:38). And then by practicing the politician’s art of compromise. In trying to appease those who wanted Truth silenced, Pilate gave a choice between Jesus and Barabbas, and when that failed, by having Jesus scourged. In the end, when Pilate saw he could not compromise the Truth, he took the coward’s way out — though convinced there was no guilt in Jesus, he handed him over. . .to be crucified (Jn. 19:16).

If nothing else, the story of Jesus’ witness before Pilate, and the witness of countless martyrs who dot Christian history, show how far Truth can be banished from public life, with leaders ever ready to offer up new victims: martyrs who will not stand for it, even if it means mingling their blood with the Blood of Truth -- his subjects prepared to fight lest the Truth be handed over, for everyone who belongs to the truth listens to his voice (cf. G).

But that’s not an easy thing to do, is it? The voice of Truth is more and more difficult to hear in public life, especially when faced with media and politicians for whom truth is reduced to “alternative facts,” concealed by disinformation campaigns and conspiracy theories, or subverted by the manipulation of language. As Pope Francis, speaking earlier this year to a group of media types, calling their work a form of service, said

In the field of information, serving essentially means seeking and promoting the truth, all the truth, for example by countering the spread of fake news and the devious plans of those who seek to influence public opinion in an ideological manner, lying and disintegrating the social fabric.

The truth is one, it is harmonic, it cannot be divided with personal interests.

It means avoiding any misleading reduction, remembering that truth is “symphonic” and is grasped best by learning to listen to the variety of voices – as in a choir – rather than always shouting one’s own idea alone…. (March 23, 2024)

That’s what martyrs like Bl. Miguel Pro gave their lives doing while witnessing to Truth with their blood. If we fail to follow their lead, we’re no better than the chief priests who handed Jesus over to Pilate, saying “We have no king but Caesar” (Jn. 19:15). And that’s why the church must always place before our eyes the witness of martyrs, along with this annual feast of Christ the King: To remind us whom we serve and whom we do not. To him [then] who has made us a kingdom, priests for our God and Father, to him be glory and power forever [and ever]. Amen (II).

Intercessions (Joe Milner; The Sunday Website)

For the Church: that we may become people of truth through listening to God’s Word, sharing in the Eucharist, and giving witness to it in our decisions and actions.

For transformation of our attitudes: that we may follow Christ in using our power and abilities to wash the feet of others, speak up for those who are oppressed, and help carry the burdens of those who are suffering.

For a new understanding of authority: that we may recognize God as the source of all authority and use our authority in cooperation with God’s loving plan for humanity.

For all whose commitment to the truth brings them into conflict with the social, governmental, and religious authorities: that they may learn from and be strengthened by Christ, the suffering servant of truth.

For leaders of government and judges: that they may recognize that their authority comes from God and that it is intended for the service of the human community.

For all who bear the marks of suffering, persecution, or famine: that the world community may recognize their dignity and work to alleviate their pain.

For all who are entrapped by poverty: that God will lead them to freedom and open the hearts of many to assist and encourage them.

For all who are rebuilding their lives: that God will restore the sick to health, guide the unemployed to new opportunities, provide the needed resources to those recovering from natural disasters, and comfort those who are grieving.

For the safety of all travelers: that God will protect all who are traveling this week and help them to have renewing visits with family and friends.

For protection of the earth: that God will guide world leaders and each of us in caring for the earth and give us the courage to follow through on difficult choices to preserve our common home.

Almighty and eternal God, to Jesus Christ, the firstborn from the dead, you have granted everlasting dominion and a kingship that shall not pass away. Remove from us every desire for privilege and power, that we may imitate the sacrificial love of Christ our King and, as a royal and priestly people, serve you humbly in our brothers and sisters. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen. (ICEL; 1998)

Offertory Antiphon

Offertory Hymn

Thou shalt know him when he comes, not by any din of drums,

Nor the manner of his airs, Nor by anything he wears;

Thou shalt know him when He comes, Not by his crown or his gown,

But his coming known shall be by the holy harmony

which his coming makes in thee. Thou shalt know him when he comes.

Communion Antiphon

Closing Hymn

Lo! He comes with clouds descending,
Once for favored sinners slain;
Thousand thousand saints attending,
Swell the triumph of His train: Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
God appears on earth to reign.

Every eye shall now behold Him
Robed in dreadful majesty;
Those who set at naught and sold Him,
Pierced and nailed Him to the tree,
Deeply wailing, deeply wailing,
Shall the true Messiah see.

The dear tokens of His passion
Still His dazzling body bears;
Cause of endless exultation
To His ransomed worshippers;
With what rapture, with what rapture
Gaze we on those glorious scars!

Yea, amen; let all adore thee,
High on thine eternal throne;
Savior, take the power and glory;
Claim the kingdoms for thine own:
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Thou shalt reign, and thou alone.

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