The Solemnity of Christ the King
MT 25:31-46
November 22, 2020
WE HAVE NO KING BUT CAESAR!
That was the shout rising up from the mob, demonstrating in front of the government offices, when Pilate suggested that Jesus was “King of the Jews.”
In fact, they were lying!
At the time, the Chosen People were deeply divided along socioeconomic lines. The one thing that they completely agreed upon, however, was their absolute hatred of Roman occupation. This pledge of allegiance…
WE HAVE NO KING BUT CAESAR!
was completely false.
Ironically, as far as Jesus was concerned, it was totally true. From the very beginning of His public ministry, The Lord resisted every effort by His supporters to elevate Him to public power. His ambition was to be crowned with thorns…not gold. He willingly ascended to a throne…THE CROSS…but repeatedly declined the seat of political power.
WE HAVE NO KING BUT CAESAR!
On the lips of the mob, this was a lie. In the heart of Jesus, at that moment in human history, it was truth. And in the end, they had no king but Caesar. What they had in Jesus is what they had in God…A SHEPHERD…someone to guide and protect and nourish them. But they murdered Him.
Demonstrators make a difference. The louder the roar of a crowd, the more likely they will be heard. Mobs often get their way, and, on Good Friday, the mob ruled…and Jesus died. When the shouting stopped and the demonstrators went home, their lie became their truth….
THEY HAD NO KING BUT CAESAR!
Over the past few years, cities across our nation have hosted numerous demonstrations, sign-carrying crowds, angry mobs. We are a deeply divided people. In fact, we are deeply divided along the same sociopolitical lines as were the Chosen People in the time of Christ.
So, as we bring this liturgical year to a close on this Feast of Christ the King, it behooves us to enjoy a moment of reflection.
Is there truth on your lips? If you are demonstrating for peace, justice, tolerance, and charity…then yes! There is truth on your lips.
Is there truth in your mind? If you have come to understand that Christ is a “Shepherd King,” whose only ambition is that we should live together in a world where charity and love prevail…then yes! Of course, there is truth in your mind.
Is there truth in your heart? If you do your best to live out the Gospel…not just in what you say, but also in what you do…then yes! You live in truth.
It is as simple as this: Those who declare allegiance to Christ, the Shepherd King, striving to live the Gospel, will be led into The Kingdom of God. The rest, we can only entrust to God’s mercy.