Christ the King Sunday - November 20, 2022

Homily for Christ the King Sunday

November 20, 2022

Christ the King Sunday

 

            In 410, the city of Rome was sacked by a barbarian tribe known as the Visigoths. This was the first time in 800 years that Rome had been under control of a foreign power, and most historians consider it to be the collapse of Western Civilization.

            Naturally, when such a seismic and disastrous event happens, people try to assign blame. And at the time, many people blamed this tragedy on Christianity. Only thirty years prior, Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire – but was this disaster a result of this new faith dividing the Empire? Should Christians return to the ancient Roman gods if they want to see the Roman Empire thrive again?

            To counter this, St. Augustine wrote a famous book called “City of God”. His premise was that the Kingdom of Christ is not an earthly, political kingdom – but one that stands in stark contrast to the worldly kingdoms of man. What are the characteristics of each kingdom – and in which one are we living?

            The Kingdom of God is a kingdom of life over death. It’s amazing to see the run-down and abandoned buildings of Detroit or Bridgeport start teeming with life as plants overtake the decrepit structures – God loves life. His first command to human beings was, “Be fruitful and multiply.” He declares that all human life is sacred and holy, from conception until natural death. In fact, it was St. Irenaeus who said, “The glory of God is man fully alive” – not just physically, but alive in our mind, our relationships, our gifts and talents – and most importantly, our soul. The Kingdom of God is a Kingdom of life!

            The Kingdom of God is also one of light and truth, against the darkness and lies of the world. Maybe it’s just me, but it seems like it’s harder and harder to find a news source or authority that isn’t biased, fake news, half-truths – which is why we don’t build our lives on current events, but the clarity of what God has revealed in the Bible and the teachings of the Church. God has spoken clearly about life, eternity, morality, relationships, who He is and who we are. This clarity is refreshing – as GK Chesterton once wrote, “The devil’s favorite color is gray,” meaning that the Evil One loves for us to be confused about everything, from gender to suffering to life after death. Thankfully God has revealed the truth to us – and, dwelling in His Kingdom, we too enjoy the clarity of light and truth.

            Finally, the City of God is one of love. John Paul II had an interesting insight that the opposite of love isn’t hate…it’s using. Treating another person as disposable. Seeing them for only what they can produce. Associating with people only because they’re wealthy or good looking or can give us some advantage in our career. Unfortunately, treating people as disposable objects to be used and then discarded is all too common – for example, did you know that in the Nordic Countries like Denmark, about 95% of babies diagnosed with Down’s Syndrome are aborted? Pope Francis recently decried what he called a “throwaway culture” where, as he put it, “Human life, the person, are no longer seen as a primary value to be respected and safeguarded.” But those who dwell in the Kingdom of God see each person as a soul worthy of love, no matter what they look like, or their abilities, or their bank account.

            With such greatness in the Kingdom of God – life, love, the light of truth – why wouldn’t the world be drawn to it? Because our King reigns from a Cross. Instead of a crown of gold, He wears a crown of thorns. Here on this earth, to be in the Kingdom of God is to embrace the Cross – it isn’t easy, and it costs a great deal.

            A perfect example of this is St. Aloysius Gonzaga. Aloysius was born to one of the wealthiest families in Italy, a noble family with lands and titles and all the trappings of nobility. As the oldest son, he would inherit everything and be considered a duke…but found the lifestyle to be hollow and empty. He spent his younger years in and out of fancy boarding schools, and touring the courts of European gentry, but he found all the politics and intrigue, the pleasures and frivolity to be completely purposeless. In reaction, he made a private vow consecrating his life to the Lord when he was only nine years old, and would practice hidden acts of prayer and self-denial – sneaking away from a party to visit the Eucharist, or denying himself some of the desserts or rich foods that were offered at the many parties he was forced to attend.

            Finally, in his late teens, he told his parents that he was called to be a priest. His parents offered to pay money for him to become a bishop instead, so at least he would have some power and nobility! But Aloysius refused. Instead, he joined the Jesuits and sought to live a life of poverty, humility, and prayer. In 1531 a plague broke out in Rome, and he received permission to minister to plague victims. Through his tireless efforts to bring them medicine and relief, he caught the plague himself, and died at the young age of 24. He could have had all the pleasures, the titles, the riches that the Kingdom of the world offered him…but instead he chose the sacrifices of the Kingdom of God.

            There are indeed two kingdoms that seek our allegiance. One kingdom promises all the pleasures the world has to offer. The other kingdom promises the Cross…and the Resurrection. Which King commands your loyalty?