Msgr. Michael Woster
Homily from the Televised Mass, NewsCenter1
The Solemnity of Jesus Christ our Lord, King of the Universe
November 24, 2024

The Feast of Christ the King presents us the paradigm shift that Jesus brings to the question of lordship and human authority in this world. Jesus is not simply a king; he is the King, and he is the true King because he loves the people of his Kingdom so much that he would die for them as we see in the Gospel today. And he does. This indeed is a very different type of authority and lordship. This King is not found in the castle or on a throne but is found on the Cross in the midst of human suffering. Jesus is telling us clearly today, that we will not encounter him with the rich, but with the poor, the outcast, the lowly and the suffering. Our Lord is nothing like what we would expect from a powerful king in this world or perhaps a president. And yet this is precisely where our Lord’s true power comes from — concern and care for the least and the weakest in his Kingdom and concern and care for those who live and die for his truth. All of this makes Jesus quite different. 

Also, this feast reminds us that our Lord did not come as a king who sought to be served but rather, he came to serve. Throughout the Gospel Jesus calls us to imitate him and do likewise with those who are the lowest in society. Unlike other kings who would subject and oppress and dominate, Christ through suffering and love, liberates and saves. Throughout his teaching, he shows us that if we are to be saved, we must become like him. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. 

This example and this teaching of course goes against our grain. Most people in the world want to be treated as royalty. I know I like to be treated that way at times. The exaltation of physical attraction, intelligence, athletics, human power and wealth, are really so often about the human desire to be the king. So many times, we desire these things not to be better servants, but in order to lord it over others and to be in places of privilege and exaltation. 

There are not very many in the world today whose first aspiration in life is to seek to bend the knee in order to serve others. We would rather climb the social ladder and not pay much attention to those below us or in deep human need. 

Jesus warns us against this mentality. We are not going to find Christ by climbing the ladder but by descending the ladder. We’re going to find him by humbly serving others and suffering, if need be, for his truth about authentic love. 

My dear people as the church here comes once again to a close and we begin to prepare for Christmas — that is for God’s greatest act of humility, leaving heaven and being born into human history — we must be mindful of the meaning of his mission and the criteria that Christ uses to judge the world at the end of time.

“What have you done for the least among you,” our Lord asks. “Did you treat them as though you were the king or as though you were their servant? I’m your King,” Jesus says, “who lived and died for you. Did you live and die for me and for others?” The answer we give to the King at the end of our lives will reveal whether or not we are worthy to be part of his Kingdom.