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Preacher: Deacon Jerry Butkiewicz

A solemnity is the highest ranking feast day in the liturgical calendar. There are 17 solemnities observed in the Roman Catholic Church. They all celebrate a mystery of faith.The word “solemnity” comes from two Latin words [“sollus” (whole) and “annus” (year)] indicating a celebration occurring at yearly intervals.

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ….the King of the Universe. Not just the King of Newport…nor of Charles County…nor of the State of Maryland…nor of the USA…nor even the world----He is King of the Universe!

And in the 1^st reading on this annual celebration of the King of the Universe……. we heard of the anointing of David as king by all the tribes of Israel. The Church gives us this reading because David foreshadows the kingship of Christ.                         

In the Responsorial psalm…… we gave thanks to the King.

And in the 2^nd reading… St. Paul says a reason to give thanks to our King is because He will bring us from darkness ….into the kingdom of light.

So far………so good……

But if the Church gave you the task of selecting the Gospel reading for this celebration of Christ the King of the Universe….. would you have chosen the passage we just heard from St. Luke's account of the crucifixion?        Would you?  

Well…. I think your choice of a Gospel passage very much depends on how you view Christ as king. Today's Gospel scene either confirms the image you have of Christ as king…. or it  corrects the image you have of Christ as King of the Universe. After all, the description of Christ as king in today’s Gospel is surely very different:

• What is our King’s crown in this Gospel made of?....... thorns.
• What is our King’s royal robe? …….a soldier's uniform cloak, thrown around His bloody shoulders in mockery and contempt.
• What is our King’s royal jewelry?........ nails driven through His flesh.
• What is our King’s throne?...... a Cross of shame between two criminals.
• And just whom does our King see from His throne?...... the Romans who crucified Him…. the Pharisees and Sadducees who condemned Him….. he didn’t see any of His apostles except John, His mother, and an ex-prostitute…….that’s all He had.

For coming down from heaven…. for 30 years of mostly silent prayer and work…. for 3 years of healing…. miracles…. exorcising people from the devil…. for giving sight to the blind and hearing to the deaf…. for feeding the multitudes……for calming the storms….for preaching and teaching….. our King is crucified.

And what does He say?....... “Father……forgive them.”

Can you say that? Can you honestly say that about:

• the person who did you in…..
• the person who slighted you……..
• the person who wronged you…….
• the person who spread a calumny against you……
• that one person in life who has hurt you the most?

Can you say: “Father, forgive him” or  “Father, forgive her.” Well, you have to say it…. because your King did!

Jesus becomes King…."your King and mine”…. only when we let Him come to us and embrace us in His great love and mercy in the Sacrament of Reconciliation----like the Good Thief did. Jesus becomes King…."your King and mine”….only when we in turn show to others His great love and mercy. And when you do these things…. when you go to Confession… and when you can show to someone else our King’s great love and mercy….. you just may one day hear those other words from the Gospel today…. words  full of mercy and love and welcome: “Today, you will be with me in Paradise.”

In extending to us….the citizens of His kingdom…..His forgiveness.…just by our asking in the Sacrament of Reconciliation….Jesus Our King then asks of us only one thing in return: that what we have freely received…..we freely share with others.

And so you see….. the Gospel passage selected by the Church for this yearly celebration of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King of the Universe is actually the perfect one!!!!