Homily for Christ the King. Readings 2 Samuel 5:1-3, Collosians 1:12-20, Luke, 23:35-43

Who do we follow? As young children we follow our parents, when we become teenagers we may begin to follow our friends. When we are adults there are many different people we may follow. We all like to be seen as following a winner.

We have just come through a long, difficult, contentious election cycle that is still affecting many people. This election has seemed to continue with a lot of the same contentious language and sniping back and forth which is not helping anyone. The back biting and the complaints are not doing anything to help those less fortunate in this country or anywhere in the world. We need to come together and follow a proven winner in order to tackle these issues.

During a difficult time in Israels history the leaders of all the tribes came and pledged allegiance to David as the true King of Israel. What did they see in him? They saw in him the fulfillment of the prophesy about the one who led the Israel people outside the power of Saul. This was the leader they were looking for.

David for his part did not just make his agreement with the tribal leaders he did it not only in front of them, but in the presence of the Lord. This agreement had a bond that was in force until the people chose to leave the Lord out of their daily lives. During David’s reign Israel had an extended period of prosperity that was handed to his son Solomon who continued this time due to their following the advice of the prophets of the time. By listening to the prophets they were able to follow the Lord.

When Solomon died and was succeeded the kingdom split in two and was eventually conquered by different empires over time leading to the Romans of Jesus’ time. When Jesus was born they were being told they were waiting for a king to take back the kingdom and rule their own way rather than to the Romans.

What they received was the Word incarnate, the image of the invisible God. This image came and was not what they expected. He did not support violence, war or the privilege of wealth and power.  Since he was not supporting the establishment of the Pharisees they chose to believe he was nothing less than an insurgent that needed to be weeded out. We see this today in multiple different aspects of life. If we disagree with someone we choose to cease being friends. We don’t friend them on social media, we belittle them if we see them post something we disagree with.

This is not the way to move society forward. So who should we follow? Should we follow those who espouse violence to get what they want? Should we follow those who would legislate the moral compass? We need to remember that neither of these things should be the prevalent attitude of the day. We have fallen into the trap that if we follow some person or idea we will gain some sort of wealth or power here on earth. Do we not realize that our life on earth is a finite period? Don’t we want immortality? This is not gained with wealth or power.

The thieves that were being crucified with Jesus show the two different sides to these options. The one thought as the crowds who were making fun and chiding Jesus. “If you are the King of the Jews save yourself.” The inscription of King of the Jews on the cross was not meant as a compliment when Pontious Pilate told his soldiers to place it on the cross. It was his way of saying to the Jews I am killing your king so you need to follow me.

The second thief realized who was there was more than just the King of the Jews, He was the savior of the world, and the way to eternal life. He asks a simple question of Jesus that we seem to forget. “Jesus remember me when you come into your Kingdom” This asking to be remembered is something we all want. Some want to be remembered for their wealth and power. Jesus chooses to remember the ones who are sorry for their sins and who help others see this.

Jesus is not against wealth or power when used to follow him. When we lose sight of who we should want to remember us in this life, we lose sight of what is truly important in this life. All life is important, regardless of where the status of the person is. Our country has evolved in their viewpoint on the importance of who we are. We began as a nation where not all people were considered the same even though “that all men are created equal”. While we did not as a beginning country enshrined some as less than people we have evolved over the years. Slavery was outlawed, women have been given the vote and rights they did not have when the country was formed.

We still have a long way to go as evidenced by the recent election, but we need to continue the evolution that has been going on. This is necessary if we as a country want to follow in Christ’s image and be remembered when we enter His Kingdom. This evolution will only happen when we can have constructive conversations with those who we do not agree with. I believe that we all want, regardless of our political persuasion, the same thing. Do we all want peace on earth? Do we all want equal opportunity for all people regardless of their status?

I believe if we follow what God has had us publish in the bible we can see these things become reality. If we choose to follow and seek wealth and power in this world we will not attain any of the things we really want.

All Saints Day can be a somewhat intimidating day of the year as we remember the saints of our faith. They are many and varied with a call to be holy. What makes the day intimidating is that we are all called to be saints. How many of us fall short of that calling in our own estimation?

 

We hear about the multitudes that stood before the lord at the end of times. There were more than could be counted, and I believe we all want to be among them. The one elder reminds everyone that these are the souls who survived the time of great distress. They have made their robes white by the Blood of the Lamb.

 

This image is what we all should be striving for. We are reminded by John that we are all children of God. I really love the line “Everyone who has this hope based on him makes himself pure, as he is pure.” Do we believe this?

 

Then we hear the Beatitudes in the Gospel today. This seemingly paradoxical statements by Jesus during his Sermon on the Mount.

 

Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of God. This sets the stage for the remaining seven Beatitudes we hear from Mathew today. The key word being “poor” in this statement. Its meaning is derived from a Hebrew word meaning “an afflicted one.” This name was applied to those Jews of the immediate pre-Christian era who were economically and politically powerless, but who continued to hope in God even though he seemed to have abandoned them. They were often poor in the sense of destitute, but their more basic poverty was in terms of power and control.

 

Jesus makes the statement that these are the ones who should actually be declared blessed, that is, fortunate. What he is reminding us is those who are powerless are free from the illusion of worldly power, which can get us to the truly important and lasting gifts. Some of these gifts are love, happiness and life itself, with all its ups and downs.

 

When we free ourselves from these illusions of worldly power we are free to turn to God, who would like nothing more than to give us the Kingdom. This poor in spirit attitude, in fact, gives us the humility and trust to believe and live in the presence of God. These are things the earthly powers and “things” can never give us.

 

Now if we look at the remaining beatitudes from this perspective we can see how some of the seemingly paradoxical statements lead to God, rather than earthly pursuits. What this does not mean is a timidity or passivity in the presence of the challenges of this life. It frees us from the self-centered and self-serving efforts, which will ultimately be unproductive. This will allow us to respond to others in a way that is loving, caring and helpful. We can sum it up in the seemingly paradoxical statement “The only gift we can keep is the one we give away!”. We hear a similar statement in Mark, “What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?”

 

As we look at the remaining beatitudes from this viewpoint we see the “mourn” are those who have allowed themselves to become vulnerable through loving. The “meek” have renounced power and violence as a way to gain happiness…. and in fact, gain happiness.  Those who “hunger and thirst for righteousness” will have a real passion for the reforms that will let everyone live and dream of a better life. Those who are “merciful” will renounce anger and vengeance as they offer mercy and forgiveness. The “clean of heart” are the ones who will be sincere and truthful, while rejecting all that is a mere sham and pretense in this life.

 

When we look at the “peacemakers” they are the ones who will promote forgiveness and reconciliation, rather than ever escalating violence, as the only sure way to peace. Those who would be “persecuted” keep to the ideals contained in these beatitudes, regardless of the ridicule from others who seem to be wise in worldly ways.

 

If we look at the Beatitudes in addition to the other readings today we realize that we are called to act in this way. When the end of times come we want to be known as children of God who will be counted amongst the multitudes. In order to gain this holiness and be counted among the saints we have been given instructions by Jesus, we just need to follow them. They are pretty simple on the face of them, but in reality, they are difficult to follow. I know I often find it easier to fall prey to chasing worldly power and influence.

 

We can begin to be more like the saints we remember with today when we follow the precepts of the beatitudes. We would reject the false narratives of wealth and power in order to gain holiness and present ourselves as the children of God we want to be. This will allow us a greater possibility to be counted in the multitudes on the last day, as we will have been marked by the angels.

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