The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

Today is the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe.  He is king and source and creator of all things.

That is why Pope Pius the 11th in 1925 instituted the solemnity. To celebrate, to bring to our attention and to the world’s attention, that Jesus Christ is not just some idea. He is not just a well-meaning prophet. He is King of the Universe and above all. Awesome in his might and all encompassing. Everything, the earth, the moon, the stars, the sky, everything pours from Jesus for he is the Word and creator of all.

pause

But he is also the crucified. The one called the King of the Jews and the Word made flesh. Fully divine and fully man.

He is unlike any false god who was spoke of before, because he became his created and was born into weakness, a babe in a manger. He who created all, offered himself to all, and gave himself in suffering and death — so that death would be overcome for all. 

He is Our King. Our Lord. Our Redeemer. We as his followers know him.

Most people on this planet know who Jesus Christ is.

You don’t have to believe in him or have faith and worship him to know who he is. Some folks think that just believing he is real and not a fairy tale is enough for salvation. But demons know who he is. The evil one is convinced he is the son of man and third person of the Trinity. That’s not the ticket to eternal life. Living for Jesus Christ and serving him as king over our lives is what matters.

After all, the secular world knows him. He is one of the characters they use during the Christmas season to help Santa sell stuff. He is sometimes even the central figure at Christmas in movies and TV shows to help sell more advertisements. Sell us more food and drink and what presents to buy others…like the latest technology and smartest smartphone. Gifts are the main event at Christmas time for many people.

In fact, it is interesting that for the king who was born in a manger with nothing, we use the excuse of the story of the three magi to amass a great hoard of presents we have to hide in multiple closets. …pause…

I am not down on Christmas; I love Christmas. Christmas is first and foremost a holy and sacred time. And I even love the lights and decorations and watching children open gifts…It is awesome and some of my most cherished memories.

And giving that thoughtful gift to someone we love enriches the relationship.  I have received gifts that reflect that the giver really considered what would be best for me…maybe even not something I would have chosen but something they knew I needed.

I am not down on gifts or the season, just what it has become for many. Many folks will spend a large part of their budget, some go into debt, to buy presents kids could probably do better without. Many of us will work until March just getting rid of the weight we gained from the season.

But maybe, today, being about Christ the king in our lives, it should be a day we give something to Jesus.  

Pause

Before we get all our gifts, give one gift to the one who most matters.

Something that is thoughtful. Something we spent time thinking about, ask ourselves what does he really want, more than anything.

We know what that would be if we have been paying attention just a little bit.

So, for today. A day when we are remember Jesus is King of the Universe. Let’s give the King of the Universe what only we have to give him. Something that is not available anywhere else in the universe at all. And no one has the means to get it for him, but you and me I do.

The gift Jesus really wants from us and always has, always will, is you and me. The true gift of our heart.

St Therese says this prayer.  

O Jesus, gentle and humble of heart, make my heart like yours!” 

Maybe today, that should be our prayer too.

That would be the one gift that the recipient would cherish more than anything else, forever and ever. For Jesus Christ desires nothing more than you and I reciprocate the love he has for us. To make our heart like his.

Our gift won’t need fancy wrapping paper, just a temple clean and welcoming to the Holy Spirit.  Have we kept it clean by going to confession regularly?

It won’t need a card from HEB, just write his name Jesus Christ on our hearts so we will never be lost. Are prayers part of our day?

We don’t need a cake or fancy food at this celebration; he has prepared his body and blood, real flesh and blood for us to join him in communion and grow closer to him. 

Today, let’s let go of whatever is stopping us from growing closer to Jesus. What stops us from accepting the peace and joy Jesus offers us. Before we come up here and join in communion with God, just let it go and give it to him. Let nothing stop us from recognizing that Jesus Christ is the source of our relief from anxiety, he has the cure for our loneliness and fears. 

Jesus Christ King of the Universe is also the one who goes to the ends of the earth to find the lost and broken and those sitting in darkness and bring them home.  To the light and love of God. He even comes for you and me.

We celebrate Christ the King, right before Advent, a great time to check in with who he is to us, For Advent of course, is a time of preparation for the celebration of the birth of Christ and Christmas.

So, who is Jesus to us?

If our words and actions reflect that maybe Jesus is not really king of OUR lives, and we don’t really serve him. We haven’t allowed him to make a difference in how we live and love….then Christmas will be just another hallmark holiday where we give gifts and eat too much and drink too much. And when it’s over, it’s well …just over …and we get on with a life focused on things of this world, worshiping things of this world. Same old fears and anxieties and same old sins. Rinse and repeat day after day.

pause

If, however, he is King of our life and hearts, then Christmas becomes more profound and holy and awesome as we remember who he is. The King of the Universe. The babe in a manger. The one who suffered and died for us. The Lord and Redeemer who loved us beyond our understanding.

If he is King of our hearts, our life is lived for him and is bright and filled with love and hope and joy…. A life lived for Jesus changes everything, and as I hope we all know, that’s a whole new life. O Jesus, gentle and humble of heart, make my heart like yours. Amen.U