Our Dean (Brookings-Madison Deanery), the Very Rev. Shane D. Stevens, V.F., sent me his excellent homily from this past Sunday, the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King (in the Calendar of 1969, Ordinary Form).  I publish it here with his permission and for your edification.  Father Stevens is Pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Church in DeSmet, SD, St. Paul in Iraquois and St. John in Arlington.  He is a graduate of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Overbrook, PA and St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver, CO.  Father was ordained a priest by His Excellency, the Most Reverend Paul Joseph Swain, Eighth Bishop of Sioux Falls, in May, 2007, at St. Joseph Cathedral in Sioux Falls, SD.  Father’s wbesite is:  http://kingsburycatholic.org

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November 21, 2010

The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King

The Last Sunday in Ordinary Time

HOLY GOSPEL: St. Luke 23:35-43

 “Jesus Christ is the King of Hearts”

 My Dear People in Christ!

Today the Church celebrates the solemn feast of Christ the King.  The Church concludes Her liturgical year, with a clear reminder that in the whole history of the world, there is no king like that of Jesus.

For some reason we Americans are fascinated by royalty.  I am not sure why? Maybe it is because we choose a different form of government other than a monarchy.  Just this past week, Prince William, the son of the late, Princess Diana, proposed marriage to a Miss Kate Middleton.  I woke, and after my morning prayers, was amazed at the amount of time dedicated to the subject. It would seem that we are still intrigued by the notion of royalty.

Even the Israelites in the Old-Testament had the desire for a king.  They looked about the neighboring countries and saw them led by a king.  A king would lead them into battle, and take care of their needs.  God warned them that if they persisted in wanting a king, that He would grant their desire, but at a great cost.  God wanted to be their king, to lead them into battle, to take care of their needs, to protect them.  Sadly they got what they wanted. Their first king was Saul. He turned out to be greedy, vindictive, and paranoid.  Then they had King David, and he was flawed.  He was an adulterer and murderer. King David did penance and was forgiven by God, but not without much suffering. Next was King Solomon.  He was the wisest of all men, and people came from far and wide to seek his advice and wisdom. 

How different it is with Jesus!  Jesus, the son of David, a son of a royal household.  His throne was not of marble, set high in a palace, but rough wood, the wood of the cross.  His crown was not of gold, but made of thorns.  His court consisted of not a retinue of thousands, but two thieves. One who mocked, and one who asked to be remembered in His Kingdom. 

My dear people, we most likely will not ever enjoy a noble title.  The Queen of England will not probably call us one day and give us the title of Duke, or Duchess, Sir this, or Lady that.  (In fact the only Queen in my family was an old German shepherd my dad had when I was a boy, her name was Queeny.)  No, we have a more precious title and that is Christian.  At our baptism we were created sons and daughters of God, and anointed: priest, prophet and king! Yes, you are a member of a Royal Family! 

No king, no queen in history no matter how great, or grand can say these most holy, hopeful words, “This day you will be with me in Paradise”!

May Christ the King, the Prince of Peace, the Lord of Life, know us, as He knew that Good Thief!   Amen!

In the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Amen.