Fr Peter Ireorji, MSP - Homily from 34th Sunday in Ordinary Time year B, Nov. 24, 2018 Christ the King

In John 18:33-37, Jesus declares before Pilate' tribunal, that his kingship is not of this world. His kingdom is beyond this world. In other words, Jesus is not a king like the kings of this world, who wield a political power. Jesus did not come to establish a political independent as the people erroneously misconstrued, but to establish a kingdom of Love, Justice and Truth by changing the hearts of human beings who allow him to reign over them. Jesus came to deliver his people and the entire world from the tyranny of sin, condemnation and death, and set us free for an eternal kingdom; a kingdom ruled not by force or fear but by the power of God's righteousness and joy in the Holy Spirit. The Scriptures tell us that there are ultimately two kingdoms in this world which are opposed to each other; the Kingdom of Light and the kingdom of darkness. Each kingdom is ruled by one lord or master;  The Lord Jesus Christ, the light of the world rules the Kingdom of Light while the Anti-Christ -the devil rules the kingdom of darkness by lies and deception. If we serve the Lord Jesus Christ and allow him to reign in our lives, he will open our eyes to the light of his truth and guide us on the course that leads to our eternal kingdom with God the Father in heaven. But if we follow the course which is set by the ruler of darkness through his lies, deception and manipulations, then, we will discover that sin will lead us down a path of eternal destruction. It is only by humble obedience to the will of the Father whom Jesus comes to reveal that we allow his kingdom to reign in us and over us. Like Jesus our Master, our kingdom is not of this world as well. Therefore, to follow Jesus, the King whose Kingdom is not of this world, demands that we should stand apart from those elements of the world that refuse to recognize Jesus' authority. Following Jesus Christ the King of our lives, necessitates that we should separate ourselves from all the popular and erroneous opinions which the world promotes and glorifies. And to hold onto this separation is a call to holiness for every member of this Kingdom of Christ. Shalom!