Christ the King

Homily preached by Fr Dominic Robinson SJ

Leadership is always under scrutiny. We see that very clearly at the moment in the world of politics; and it is very much under the microscope in the Churches too. I feel very much part of that myself as a parish priest and know much is expected of us as we enter a new chapter after the pandemic with all the challenges we face together of discerning our mission. The Synod Pathway initiated by Pope Francis is inviting us to discern as a community of faith together. Please do have a look at the homily of Pope Francis from the Opening Mass of the Synod printed in this weekend’s newsletter – it explains how that discernment process might work. And later on after Holy Communion we will hear from Janet, our Parish Synod Rep, about how we’re implementing this in the Parish. This is by far the most exciting and important thing in the Catholic Church for decades. It’s a wonderful opportunity. And I’d like, as pastoral leader of this community, to invite us all to take ownership of our collective leadership here and to respond generously, honestly, authentically. Our co-responsibility as leaders should indeed be under scrutiny at this critical time for the Church as we ask ourselves the question how do I respond to my personal call to be a disciple? How do we discern together and respond to our call to be leaders, to evangelise, to bring people to faith?

This Sunday, the Feast of Christ the King, is a time to reflect on what kind of leadership we are called to as Christian disciples. And the Gospel reminds us of how we can easily fall into the trap of using earthly models. Christ the King is no political ruler nor a modern figurehead such as our own monarch in a democratic system. Christ is no earthly King at all and we are called today to think of his leadership and the model of Christian leadership he shows us beyond these earthly images.

"Are you a King?" quizzes Pilate, wondering how this man about to be condemned by the world – by Jews and Romans alike about to die by the pains and humiliation of public crucifixion - is a king. "Yes, I am a king. I was born for this, I came into the world for this: to bear witness to the truth." Yes - and die he did - and as St John tells us in the passage we heard from the Book of the Apocalypse his very suffering and death reveals his glory as a king. His sacrifice for the world reveals his very identity as a king. Every Sunday – every day perhaps many times – we pray in the prayer Jesus asked us to say that his kingdom come on earth. To build his heavenly kingdom on Earth we have a mandate through our common baptism to build a Kingdom described to us so beautifully in the words of the Preface we shall hear shortly. 'A kingdom of truth and life, a kingdom of holiness and grace, a kingdom of justice, love and peace.' This is the essence of our mission, as a parish community, as a Church, as Christians together called to discern his specific will in this place at this time.

And so this Feast – however it resonates with us personally at this time – is actually a call to each one of us to be a leader as we are all called to bring Christ’s Kingdom on earth every day of our lives. In different ways: through how we live out Gospel values in our relationships, in our work, in our society. As we encounter him again this Sunday through the scriptures we are given to reflect on, through the gift of himself in his body and blood in his one perfect sacrifice for us, may we be inspired to spread his kingdom of truth, of justice, of love for all.