WHO IS YOUR KING? | Homily 24 Nov 2024 with Fr. Jerry Orbos | Solemnity of Christ the King

Summary

In this homily for the Feast of Christ the King, the speaker reflects on the true nature of Christ’s kingship, emphasizing that it is not about worldly power but about service, humility, and love. Drawing on scripture from John 18:33-37, the message calls believers to surrender their pride and false idols, live with a servant's heart, and follow Christ’s example of compassion and generosity. The speaker also challenges the congregation to reflect on how they serve Christ, urging them to live with purpose, obey God's commandments, and extend love to those in need.

Takeaways

• 😀 Christ’s Kingdom is not of this world; it is built on truth, love, and service, not on power and material wealth.
• 😀 Humility is central to following Christ: He came not to rule with power, but to testify to the truth and serve others.
• 😀 True kingship is about serving others, as exemplified by Christ, and not about seeking status or authority.
• 😀 Christ the King calls us to serve, obey, and follow Him, recognizing that He is greater than any earthly ruler or power.
• 😀 The Feast of Christ the King invites us to reflect on how we are serving Christ in our everyday lives, especially through acts of kindness and charity.
• 😀 Personal reflection on one's life is key: What have we done for Christ our King? Have we served the poor, sick, and marginalized as He taught us?
• 😀 Obedience to God leads to peace and fulfillment. By following His commandments, we align our lives with His will.
• 😀 The importance of surrendering to God’s will: Trusting Him with our past, present, and future is a path to inner peace and faith.
• 😀 Christ’s love for us is beyond imagination, and it is better to trust in His love than to doubt it. God never gives up on us, so we should not give up on ourselves.
• 😀 To serve Christ, we must open all areas of our lives to Him, even the ‘no man’s land’ areas that we keep closed off to God.
• 😀 The call to be a 'king fisher'—to harvest for the Kingdom by doing good, sharing, and spreading the love of Christ in our actions.

Q & A

What is the central theme of the homily?

The central theme of the homily is about recognizing Christ as the true King, living in humble service to Him, and following His example of love and humility. The homily challenges us to surrender our lives to Christ, obey His commandments, and serve others as He would.

What does the priest mean by 'servant feeling' in contrast to 'me King feeling'?

'Servant feeling' refers to the humility and selflessness that we should embody as followers of Christ. The 'me King feeling' is a tendency to focus on ourselves, our desires, and our status. The priest encourages the congregation to let go of selfishness and instead embrace a servant attitude, following the example of Christ the King.

Why does the priest share the story of the 'Lion King' and the mouse?

The story of the 'Lion King' and the mouse is used humorously to illustrate the idea of humility. Before marriage, the 'Lion King' thought he was a king, but after marriage, he realized he was more of a servant, like the mouse. This highlights the need for humility and the importance of understanding our place as servants, not rulers.

What role does obedience play in serving Christ the King?

Obedience is a key aspect of serving Christ. By following His commandments and living according to His will, we align ourselves with His purpose and find peace. The priest emphasizes that true happiness and peace come from obeying Christ, as disobedience leads to unrest and separation from God's grace.

What is meant by 'lean not on your own understanding'?

'Lean not on your own understanding' is a call to trust in God rather than relying solely on human knowledge or reasoning. The priest illustrates this by sharing a personal anecdote about his cousin, a doctor, who was faced with a health issue. The message is to trust God's guidance rather than depending solely on personal expertise or logic.

How does the priest describe Christ's kingdom?

Christ's kingdom is described as being 'not of this world.' Unlike earthly kingdoms where power, wealth, and status dominate, Christ's kingdom is one of love, humility, and service. The priest emphasizes that if Christ’s kingdom were of this world, His followers would fight to protect Him, but His reign transcends earthly power structures.

What is the significance of the 'kingfisher' metaphor in the homily?

The 'kingfisher' metaphor symbolizes the idea of being 'fishers for the King.' Just as the kingfisher dives into the water to catch fish, we are called to dive into the world and bring people to Christ. It’s a reminder that we are to live out our faith by bringing others into God’s kingdom, serving Christ by spreading His love.

What does the priest mean by surrendering our lives to Christ?

Surrendering our lives to Christ means fully entrusting our past, present, and future to Him. The priest calls the congregation to open every area of their lives to God, especially those parts that are closed off or resistant to His influence. It’s a call to live with faith, trust, and obedience to Christ as our King.

What lesson does the priest want the congregation to learn from the story of the militarized zone (DMZ)?

The priest uses the story of the DMZ, the no-man's land between North and South Korea, as a metaphor for the areas in our lives that we have not yet opened to God. Just as the DMZ is a closed-off zone, there may be parts of our lives that we keep from God. The lesson is to surrender these areas to Christ and allow Him to claim them for His kingdom.

How does the priest conclude the homily?

The priest concludes the homily by encouraging the congregation to surrender their lives to Christ, serving Him with love, humility, and obedience. He invites them to reflect on what they have done for Christ the King, urging them to live with hearts full of generosity and compassion, especially toward the poor and those in need. He emphasizes the importance of loving Christ with a heart like His Sacred Heart.