Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

When Pius XI instituted the feast of Christ the King in 1925, he did so in response to a world that was becoming more and more secular, and less and less God-centered. It’s easy for us to claim that we’ve come very far in the past 90 years, but I ask, have we really come that far? Simply looking at the United States alone, we’ve seen major decay in the moral fabric of our society. We pledge to be One nation, under God, our currency declares that In God we trust, but frankly anymore it appears as though those platitudes are more farce than faith. 

The recent election has rocked our country. During the campaign season, I could not get over the self-centered, overwhelming “savior complexes” of both major candidates. This was echoed by supporters on social media, newspapers and television making comments such as (you can fill in any candidate’s name!):

“_____________ is going to fix everything!”

“_____________ is going to really move America forward!” 

And, my personal favorite...

“_____________ is going to save America!”

Now, don’t get me wrong, we should be strong citizens. We live in a great country and we should be loyal to our homeland. However, that being said, we must guard against putting our faith in human powers. No civil authority is going to save us, only Jesus Christ saves us.

Since we have by and large abandoned our predominantly Christian heritage, we have placed ourselves on a trajectory toward the tyrannies of materialism, immorality, and obsession with power and control. If we stay on this path, our society will indeed crumble and be brought to her knees. In order for our country to survive and flourish, and this is a non-negotiable item, we must bring back Christian morality and ethics. We must have the courage to live out what we profess, to raise our children in the way of holiness and faithfulness, to boldly stand up for what is right and true. That is the only way we will truly make America great again (whatever that’s intended to mean).

So, we are presented with a choice. We can chose to align ourselves with earthly powers, focusing on the kingdoms of this world, or we can focus ourselves on the true Kingdom of God, which is not of this world. That is the choice we see played out between the two thieves crucified with Our Lord. The one, completely wrapped up in man-made systems of crime and punishment, mocks Jesus and his Kingship. The other, recognizes the Kingship of Jesus as something mystical, however, true, and beautiful. He sees not a crazy and pathetic man who spoke of glory only to lose it all in the end, but rather sees a King who loves those in his kingdom so much that he is willing to die for them, that they may live eternally with Him. That is the king we celebrate today. That is the kingdom of which we are called to be a part.

No human “kingdom” can ever demand our loyalty as can the Kingdom of God. Only to Him can we truly pledge our undivided fidelity. It is in seeking that fidelity, in living that loyalty to Christ, that we find our true freedom. Freedom is not something defined by governments, or given to us by civil authority. Our freedom comes from the fact that we are all created in the image and likeness of God. The dignity we acquire through Christian Baptism, safeguards that freedom. Only one thing can hindered that freedom, and that is our sinfulness. Yet, we are given great hope, for Jesus shows us that even at the last moments of our lives he is still there, waiting for us to turn to Him, just as the good thief. His Kingdom is one of mercy, forgiveness and charity.

Our true King, Jesus Christ, does not rule with a scepter and a crown of gold, but with a cross and crown of thorns. The key players in His kingdom are not those who appear to have power on earth, but are rather the most lowly and humble who completely surrender their lives over to Him. If we can strive to do that, turn our lives over to Christ, witness to the Truth in our society, we are given the sure and certain hope that we too will hear those words spoken to Dismas, the good thief: Today you will be with me in paradise.