Helping bring the Kingdom (Sunday homily)

 This feast of Christ the King was established by Pope Pius XI in 1925. 

This was the time in which communism had taken power in Russia 

and was threatening Europe; 

Mussolini and his Fascist party 

had been in power in Italy for several years; 

and two years earlier, 

Hitler had tried the first time to seize power in Germany, 

and had published his manifesto for Nazism. 

The pope knew the times, and knew that the world 

needed to be reminded: Jesus Christ is the only rightful king!

Pope Pius said the following when he declared this feast: 

…manifold evils in the world 

were due to the fact that the majority of men 

had thrust Jesus Christ and his holy law out of their lives; 

that these had no place either in private affairs or in politics: 

and…as long as individuals and states refused to submit 

to the rule of our Savior, there would be no really hopeful prospect 

of a lasting peace among nations. 

Men must look for the peace of Christ in the Kingdom of Christ.

It’s just as true today as nearly 100 years ago.

Communism and fascism may seem remote, 

but there are new “isms” that seek to dominate.

You can lose your job 

if you say that men and women are uniquely made for each other – 

that that reality is the essential meaning of marriage.

There are young women who are losing the ability 

to compete fairly in sports 

because of the anti-science ideology that claims

male and female aren’t matters of science, but personal belief.

So, the task of speaking the truth continues.

The world needs its true King just as much as it ever did.

Someone will say, but we live in a representative republic, 

made up of people of all religious beliefs. 

That’s true. And you and I have the same right 

to propose values and visions for our nation as anyone else.

Remember, in our country, the real rulers 

aren’t the President and Congress, governor and legislators and judges; 

“we the people” are sovereign. 

So, Pope Pius’ words are really directed to you and me. 

And that means that each and every Catholic 

has a grave duty—a grave duty, I repeat—to do the following things:

1) To be well informed as we reasonably can, as citizens.

2) To speak out and use our gifts to persuade.

3) To be registered to vote, and to then to cast our votes at every election.

4) And, when we vote, to cast our votes consistent with Christ’s Law.

Some will say, but look what Jesus said to Pilate: 

“my kingdom is not of this world.” 

Jesus’ kingdom does not originate in this world, 

because it originates in heaven. 

But Jesus clearly came from heaven to bring his Kingdom here.

He calls you and me to be his hands and voices here.

Jesus told us, 

that when we stand before him, on the Last Day, 

he will separate to both sides of him, 

those who showed mercy, and worked for justice, 

and those who neglected to do so.

While the establishment of his universal Kingdom 

depends on more than any one of us, 

each of us has the power to let him be king in our own lives.

Do Jesus reign over my thoughts? 

Or, do I let bigotry and vengeance find place in my mind and heart?

And, if Jesus is king in our hearts, 

how can worry and fear find a place there?

Is Jesus king over our computers and our TVs? 

Or are there places we go online that dishonor him and his creation?

Let me offer some practical things that can help.

Displaying images of Jesus in our homes can help us remember.

And coming regularly to confession 

Helps us put good intentions into action.

To quote Pope Pius a final time: 

“When once [we] recognize, both in private and in public life, 

that Christ is King, society will at last receive 

the great blessings of real liberty, well-ordered discipline, 

peace and harmony.”