TOPIC:
CHRIST IS OUR KING
34C Sunday Homily, Feast of Christ the
King, Luke 23:35-43, November 20, 2022
1) STORY
Father Miguel Pro, a Mexican priest who
studied in Europe, had not been back to his native country for eleven years. At that time, the Mexican government was
persecuting the Church and practicing religion was against the law. He returned to Mexico to help the Catholics
despite the great dangers this presented. He worked for 18 months saying Mass, hearing
confessions, and giving retreats. He
always dressed differently to avoid being caught. On the night of November 18, 1927, he was
caught by the police and accused of a crime which he did not commit. Nine days later, without a trial, he was
condemned and shot to death in Mexico City. With his arms outstretched and just before
dying, he shouted his last words, “Long live Christ the King.” The State rejected Jesus. Fr. Pro, now Blessed
Pro, accepted Jesus.
2) GOSPEL, Luke 23:35-43
A) CHRIST WAS REJECTED.
The
rulers, the soldiers, and one of the two criminals made fun of Jesus and
rejected him. They said that if he were
truly the King of the Jews, he would be able to save himself.
B) ONE ACCEPTED JESUS.
One
of the criminals said that Jesus had done nothing criminal. He said, “Jesus,
remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus replied, “Amen, I say to you, today you
will be with me in Paradise.”
3) APPLICATION TO LIFE
A) REJECT JESUS.
ONE rejects
Jesus by sinning, by disobeying the basic command of Jesus to love God, to love
our neighbor, and to love ourselves. This
is done by not praying, by being uncharitable to others, and by neglecting one’s
health.
B) ACCEPT JESUS.
We accept Jesus by obeying him and following his good example in our lives. Christ loves us, cares for us, guides us, and forgives us. We must be faithful, loyal, obedient, and hard-working disciples.
4) CONCLUSION
Blessed Fr. Pro gave up his life to
help others. He accepted Jesus as his
king while the State rejected Jesus by persecuting the Church. While dying on
the cross, Jesus was rejected by some and accepted by one. We reject Jesus by our sins and accept Jesus
by living as he did by loving God, his neighbor and himself.
