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 SOLEMNITY OF CHRIST THE KING, YEAR B: HOMILY BY FR. JUSTIN ADIELE

THEME: “JESUS, THE MOST WANTED KING”

INTRODUCTION

Beneath a large portrait picture of a macho-looking Christ was written the following words: “wanted on charges of sedition, criminal anarchy, vagrancy, and conspiring to overthrow the established government. Dresses poorly, uses carpentry as a cover, has visionary ideas. Associates with common working people, unemployed, and winos (the rejected). Has variety of aliases/titles: Prince of peace, Son of Man, Light of the World, etc. Full beard and scars on hands and feet, the results of injuries inflicted by angry mob led by respectable citizens and local authorities.”

Indeed, Jesus was so wanted and most wanted for almost every reason (good and bad) that sometimes he had to hide himself and move secretly to escape being noticed. Many wanted him because he was a threat to their established evil cult; he was so outspoken with the truth. Many others wanted him because he was the answer to their prayers. Some others wanted him so badly for his healing touch, for his gracious words, for the multiplication of their bread, to turn their water into wine, or to raise their dead. Some others wanted him to push him down the cliff because he was a threat to their position and authority. Some wanted him in order to follow him to the ends of the world. Some wanted Him in their city, home or business; some others wanted him out of their city, home or business. A few others wanted Him to make Him their king.

Till today Jesus is still the most wanted king or person in the whole world. Some local authorities still want Jesus, his reign, his teachings and influence pushed out of their government and business. Jesus and his disciples (real Christians) are still being declared wanted today for crimes of oppositions against established world orders or morals. They want to put him out for good.

The good news nevertheless, is that those (the crowds) who want Jesus for his miracles, for his favours, and for his restoration still far out numbers those who wanted him for bad. And they will fear the crowds that are for Jesus as in the Biblical times as we march for Jesus today.

Today as the scriptures reveal, we shall once again declare Jesus wanted; wanted in order to restore all things in Him. We declare him most wanted in order to acknowledge him our King and render His majesty the service, the praise and glory/honour due to Him. We want Him today, to repay him our love for his own love by which he shed his blood for us. We are not declaring him wanted today in order to arrest, arraign, flog, crucify and pierce him for unverifiable charges against humanity. We march and declare him wanted out of hiding today, to crown Him our physical and spiritual King.

Finally, after massively and publicly declaring Jesus our most wanted and most cherished King and Prince of Peace today, let us not go behind to betray him, sell him, or dishonor him with our uncharitable, unchristian and rebellious lives!

Happy Feast of Christ the King!

Fr. Justin