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November 26, 2006
The Rev. Canon Lynell Walker
Proper 29 - Year B
Today the church recognizes the end of the season of Pentecost by celebrating Christ the King. The drama of the Christian calendar has found its fulfillment in movement from the infant child in the manger to Jesus, standing before Pontius Pilate, as Christ the King. During this past liturgical year Jesus has gone from being the Incarnate Word, born as a helpless infant in the manger, to Christ the King of all creation and Ruler in our hearts.
Pope Pius XI set this day aside in 1925. It's odd, but we tend to think that most of what happens in the church started somewhere in the middle ages. But the feast of Christ the King is a recent act of church renewal. Pope Pius set the Sunday apart when faced with a church and global community that saw a rise of interest in secularism and atheism. He wanted to remind the Church that we were not made for ourselves but for God alone. He believed that calling the faithful back to the humble reminder that we are God's children would recall the penitent to their rightful place of obedience, trust and love.
The Gospel lesson appointed for Christ the King today is taken from the Passion narrative where Pilate seeks to determine who Jesus really is. And at some point we too must make that same determination.
If I were to take a poll of images that come to mind when we try to explain who we understand Jesus to be I would venture that words like Shepherd, Savior, and Friend would come way before words like King, Lord or Ruler. There is something in us that looks at the word "King" and shies away from any kind of dominating, controlling, autocratic, punishing, and demanding presence. We in the West, and especially in America, bristle at the thought of being told what to do. For example, left alone while knowing the risks, I would never choose to wear a seatbelt in a car. First and foremost, I don't like being restrained. Second, I am short and they cut across my neck when I drive. Knowing the safety risks I daily fight the temptation to drive without one. It is a war within myself - and an expensive one in that I have been caught and ticketed for my stubbornness.
But what Pontius Pilate couldn't catch, and what we can't catch in our rebellion, is that Jesus came to redefine authority. Pilate could not let himself believe that Jesus did not somehow pose a threat to the Roman Empire. Pilate's real threat was the warring crowd outside. Jesus came to teach that true authority and power is rooted in servanthood. Jesus' regal crown and scepter was a basin of water and a wash towel. If I could catch that then wearing a seatbelt wouldn't be such a battle. If I could catch that I was made for God alone and that obedience to Christ was in my best interest, life wouldn't be such a struggle.
So I'm thankful for this feast day. It reminds me that I'm not the boss and while I hate to admit it, there's a huge relief in knowing that my life is in God's hands.
What happens when I seek to recognize the Reign of Christ in my life?
First and foremost comes the awareness Christ the King both made me and loves me. I always have been loved and always will be. I want to know with Paul that nothing here on this earth can ever separate me from God's love. Absolutely nothing.
Second, the Reign of Christ tells me that there is nothing so big that it is outside the reach of Christ’s loving embrace. This past week we have all been horrified at the death and destruction that has happened in Baghdad. It's hard to understand an anger so deep that it would cause one human being to set another one on fire. Bishop Desmond Tutu was once asked what one lone individual could do to alleviate suffering in Africa. His response was simple: Pray the Lord's Prayer every day. And so we gather today to pray, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."
And finally, Jesus calls us to imitate his Kingship in serving others. Someone once said that in Jesus, "royalty stooped down." Jesus prayed for those who were sick, he wept with those who mourned, he fed bread and fish to the hungry, he ached for parents whose kids were sick, he forgave those who had made terrible mistakes in their lives. Jesus touches the contagious and welcomed the marginalized. He washed off dusty feet and anointed with oil. That's what royalty and power look like in the Reign of God.
Pilate asks, "Who are you?" We must ask that too. Having a King in my life, I've discovered, is a very good thing.
I want to end this homily by asking you to join me in praying for the city of Baghdad. As a nation we are part of the problem. As God's people we must be part of the solution. Let us pray for an end to war and the safe return of all soldiers to their families. Let us pray for the leadership and ask God to surround them with wise counsel. Let us picture Christ washing their feet, soothing their sores, softening the ancient calluses that seek to divide God’s people. And let us pray, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done in Baghdad as it is in heaven.” Amen.
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