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Christ the King
The Day was Christmas. The year was 800 AD. The place was Rome. On that day, Charlemagne, king of the Franks, who ruled all of France and Germany and eventually all of Central Europe, had journeyed to the Papal City along with his entourage. Charlemagne witnessed the services conducted by Pope Leo III before a huge crowd.
In the Ceremony, Pope Leo summoned Charlemagne to the Altar. He placed on his head the crown of the Caesars, the former rulers of the Roman Empire. Pope Leo addressed him as Augustus, the title of the Caesars. Charlemagne was a good Christian, a good Catholic. He followed the Corporal works of Mercy found in the Gospel. He would have been on the side of the sheep. If he were asked who was King of the World, without hesitation, he would have answered Jesus Christ.
Christ was once hailed as a king. The day was Palm Sunday. The place was the Jerusalem. Christ had come to the city for a Jewish Feast. Christ rode in on a donkey. They yelled, “Hosanna to the Son of David”. Which referred to David being the King of the Jews and Jesus was an ancestor in his lineage.
We know that it didn't stay like this. When Jesus was crucified. Instead of placing the name of the crime above Jesus' head such as the crime of blasphemy, the name King was placed, “Jesus of Nazareth. King of the Jews”.
Christ laid out a game plan for his subjects. Although he never said subjects. He used phrases like sheep and friends. He showed us the way a good leader leads. That is by serving. When we serve others, we serve Christ.
The people did not understand what Christ wanted and many times neither do we. Christ wanted his kingship shown by worship and prayer. People going to Church and praying, not in submission, but because they wanted to be there. If you would count all the Christians who went to Church this week-end around the world. It would be an incredible number.
He wanted his kingship shown by a doctrine of love and good works. Those good works are in today's Gospel. They are laid out there. It might be easier to do those things during the holiday season, but these have to be done all the time.
Christ is our king because he is God, the creator of the universe. He is our creator who gave us life. He is the ruler who rules over every moment of our lives. We need to take care of his creation.
Christ's power as king was acknowledged from his first days on this earth. While he was a newborn babe in the stable of Bethlehem, the Magi from the east came to see him and adore him. One of the gifts they brought him was gold, a gift given only to kings. Our gifts should match the person who receives them.
Over the course of history, many people have tried to dethrone Christ as King and place themselves as Ruler of the World. We know that has not happened. The last was probably in World War II. Hitler was defeated.
If you have ever gone to St. Meinrad Archabbey Church you will see in the apse of the Church a huge painting of Christ. This painting was done at the end of World War II. It shows Christ being the Victor, holding the laurel wreath, the symbol of victory. Also holding the scriptures that says: “I am the way , the truth and the life”. That's what it means to be a King. Serving others, giving good example to others.
How have we served others? Are we with the smelly, stubborn goats or are with the sheep. We would do well to look inside ourselves. Advent will be here next Sunday. The time to get ready for Christ's Second Coming. We have an excellent opportunity for service,
let's don't waste it.
   
Since 01 Jan 2004
Copyright © 2008 Resurrection Parish. All Rights Reserved.
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