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November 24, 2018Almost 30 million Americans watched the wedding of Prince Harry and Meaghan Markle in May 2018. The last royal wedding pulled almost 3 billion viewers worldwide. In 1840, Queen Victoria's wedding to Prince Albert was credited with making white wedding dresses the norm. The idea of the monarchy, although tatterred by scandals, is still alive and well and, according to online sources, generates about $1.8 billion pounds in revenue for the Britain. So, how can Christ the King, Bridegroom of the Church, compete?
Kingship and loyalty
“My kingdom does not belong to this world” has long been a kind of proof text for Christians who would thoroughly separate religion from politics. When our bishops, for example, call their flocks to greater moral and political responsibility, opponents say, “Keep your rosaries off my ovaries or what has religion to do with the economy? Didn't Jesus say, 'My kingdom is not of this world?'” The literal rendering of this passage is that “My kingdom is not from this world. ... But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” The source of his kingship is the Father, not the Roman Emperor. The New Testament makes it clear that we have responsibilities to God and one another. The kingship of Jesus has everything to do with how we live out our earthly citizenship—how we work, pay, buy, sell, and vote. In this we honor Jesus (to use the words of today's reading from Revelation) as “faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead and ruler of the kings of the earth.”
Daniel: the prophet saw the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven
The prophet Daniel, writing during Israel's civil war in 2nd Century B.C., wanted God to intervene. Daniel presents a vision of God coming to Israel's aid and claiming dominion over the nations:
Son of Man in Daniel’s vision was not a ruler from this world. Daniel wanted God’s kingdom to rule on earth.As the visions during the night continued, I saw one like a Son of man coming, on the clouds of heaven; when he reached the Ancient One and was presented before him, the one like a Son of man received dominion, glory, and kingship; all peoples, nations, and languages serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away, his kingship shall not be destroyed. Dn. 7:13-14
The image of God's triumph over chaos is also in the Psalms. The Psalms are from various periods in Israel’s history. God’s throne, firm from of old, is more powerful than the sea. In the scriptures, the sea represents the forces of chaos. When reading the Psalms, we could think of Jesus calming the sea or walking on the water.
God saves his people from chaos.Your throne stands firm from of old; you are from everlasting. The flood has raised up, LORD; the flood has raised up its roar; the flood has raised its pounding waves. More powerful than the roar of many waters, more powerful than the breakers of the sea, powerful in the heavens is the LORD. Ps. 93:2-4
Revelation: Daniel's prophecy realized in Christ
From beginning to end, God is king. He overcomes chaos and frees us making us his kingdom, a kingdom of priests. The book of Revelation sees Christ as the Son described by Daniel.
The Gospel of John: King Jesus!Jesus Christ is the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead and ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, who has made us into a kingdom, priests for his God and Father, to him be glory and power forever and ever. Amen. Behold, he is coming amid the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him. Rev. 1:5-8
Pilate wants Jesus to admit he is a king. That would be treason against Caesar. But that did not intimidate the Lord of the living and the dead.
In the Gospel Jesus turned water into wine and wine into his own blood. Jesus knew the Samaritan woman’s heart (Jn. 4) and told Nicodemus that to enter the kingdom of heaven he must be born of water and the Spirit. Jn. 3:5. He healed the sick, cured the lame and raised the dead. Standing in a graveyard next to Lazarus’ tomb he said to Martha and Mary, “Did I not tell you that if you believe you will see the glory of God?” Jn. 11:40 God’s glory is the triumph of Christ over the cross and death.So Pilate said to him, "Then you are a king? " Jesus answered, "You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice." Jn. 18:37.
Christ the King
The Gospel pits the powers of earthly kings, chaos, human hopelessness and despair, against the power of God. Daniel gave hope that the Jews would be saved from one more catastrophe in their long story. Revelation prophesies that Christ will return in victory and glory. His salvation is from another world, but destined for this one. Jesus of Nazareth testified to Pilate that he was King, but his authority came from another and surer foundation.
People are free to put their hopes in whoever they choose, even Prince Harry and Meaghan Markle. In our own families, we have people we love who have chosen to trust some other source of power than Christ the King. Generally, people want to trust that which will scratch their itch in the next thirty seconds. Instant gratification always proves inadequate in the long run. Life unfolds slowly. Peace comes to us gradually. We grow into sanctity over time and through grace.
Seekers and Advent Small Groups
Christ entrusted to us the mission of spreading his Gospel. You have at least two opportunities to live your faith this Advent.
- During the first three weeks of Advent our parish will be supporting a Small Group discussion on the book, “ The Prodigal You Love” written by Sr. Theresa Noble. She tells her own story of wandering away from faith in Christ, atheism and then back again. Her story sounds like the story of her generation. I think her experience might give hope and understanding to those whose children and friends have chosen a very different, less promising path in life. Our small groups meet in parishioner homes.
- Our parish is also hosting an Advent series called “Seekers.” It will be led by parishioners Joe and Tammy Martinson and is an opportunity for you to come a hear the stories of others who are looking for more in their life. It might be a moment to invite family and friends to join you.
