Christ King of the Universe / C
21/11/2010
Luke 23, 35-43 (p. 1042)
The Feast of Christ the King of the universe, recent institution (1925), marks the end of our Christian year.
First I would like you to think about some aspects of this mystery of the kingdom of Christ from the biblical readings. Then I will propose some concrete applications of this mystery in the life of our Church and our Christian life today.
The second reading, a very beautiful text of the Apostle Paul invites us to see God's plan in all its breadth, from creation to the end of time. Kingship of Christ can be understood only in relation to the Father's plan. She is the beginning, the center and fulfillment. Affirm that Christ is the king of the universe, so it is first noted that "in Him all things were created in heaven and on earth" and that everything is created "by him and for him. " Yes, God gives life to all creation through His only Son, his eternal and living Word. And Adam is the king of creation because Eve is created in the image and likeness of God. Adam and Eve are the earthly image of the Creator Son. The vocation of man and woman is therefore to rule over creation by collaborating in the work itself of God. Royalty Adam dominion over creation is not to destroy or enslave, but rather to make an offering to the Father creator, a thanksgiving, a cry of gratitude and wonder for God's work . The ecology and respect for our natural environment is thus an essential Christian vocation derives directly from our king of creation. This is not something optional for the Christian who understands the meaning of its place within creation. We also know that Adam and Eve, the original sin, brought evil into the world. They were no longer capable separating themselves from God, to continue to exercise their dominion over the universe fairly. Embodied in the only Son of God comes to restore the kingdom over the establishment by the forgiveness of sins and offering us to reconcile us with God. As a baptized and confirmed we are already members of Christ's kingdom. New Adam, Christ is also the king of the universe. And in him all things on earth will have its total fulfillment. Every Christian is king when it's back to Christ all his activity, when offering to Christ the outline of a new creation. Because the whole creation which is known to enter the kingdom of God, transfigured by the love of Christ the King. The Eucharist is a beautiful foreshadowing as the bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ. The Gospel shows us how Christ is king. His throne is the cross. And he seems powerless. In fact it is on the cross, in a paradoxical way, Christ shows his royal power is a power of self-giving and love without limits. It is through the cross that opens the gates of heaven closed, the kingdom of God, the bandit who beg.
Now consider some consequences of this mystery in life the Church and in our lives. Since Constantine and until recently the church has been tempted by the theocracy. By allying itself closely to the political power she wanted to dominate the whole society. She succumbed to the illusions of power and wealth, forgetting the spiritual character of the kingship of his Lord and Master. The Christians of the 4th and 5th centuries they were persecuted became persecutors of the pagans. And it took saints, Francis of Assisi for example, to remind the Church's evangelical mission. With Vatican II our church has renounced the temptation to impose the kingdom of Christ by the power and force. It entered into dialogue with our world, realizing that she was to be the servant of humanity by adopting the means which were those of Christ in the time of his incarnation. This is not dominating but in serving our Church participates in Christ's kingship over the universe. But more than 40 years after the Council another temptation we face: that of just rhetoric. The rhetoric that we feel good and do not change the facts! Christians that we are carrying on the kingship of Christ on this earth not by creating networks of influence more or less hidden but by example. Paul VI had already said at the time how people today had more need of witnesses than teachers. Teaching faith is good, live is even better. To illustrate my point with one example: it does not serve much use for the Christian Church or to the repeated refusal of abortion as he or she does not hold for women in difficulty and help them keep their unborn children. The Church and Christians will be credible to the extent that our teaching will be transformed into action and practical choices. Talking does not cost much, is something else involved. Do not be like some politicians who are asking the citizens of sacrifices when they do not renounce their privileges ... Yes, we are king of creation through and for Christ if we witness to His Kingdom through our actions and the real gift of ourselves. Extend the kingship of Christ in our land if we give the example of our lives.
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