Homily – Christ the King – Year C – Fr Jeremiah Browne (National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies #southafrica #Swaziland #eswatini #Botswana)
This year we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Feast of Christ the King by Pope Pius XI in 1925. The pope – writing at a time when the oppressive governments of Mussolini, Hitler and Stalin claimed total authority over the hearts and minds of the people – wanted to remind the world that the self-interest of earthly ruler more often than not overrides the needs of ordinary people.
Christ alone offers a sovereignty that liberates rather than enslaves, guiding humanity with truth, mercy and a love that cannot be silenced.
This truth is made visible in the fact that all these rulers and their political aspirations have long since crumbled into history. In fact no empire, no government, from the time of Jesus still rules today. This is testimony to the fact that power rooted in domination never lasts. Power rooted in love never dies.
This feast invites us to ask where we place our trust. Many forces today still demand our loyalty: nationalism, tribalism, consumerism, social media approval, even the quiet social pressure to live as though faith is a private matter.
Still, in the midst of all those voices, Christ stands before us as a different kind of King. His throne is a cross. His crown is woven from suffering love. His rule is not enforced by fear but is found in freedom. He reigns in every human heart that chooses mercy over pride, justice over convenience, and service over self-interest.
Luke’s Gospel offers that striking moment on Calvary when Jesus, nailed to the cross, is declared to be King. It overturns everything we think we know about kingship.
The world expects kings to dominate, to impose, to protect their own status. Jesus claims his kingdom by giving himself away. His authority is not measured by how many obey him, but by how many are lifted up through his compassion. His kingdom advances whenever a person who feels forgotten discovers their dignity again, whenever forgiveness replaces resentment, whenever courage rises in someone who feared they had no strength left.
If Christ is truly our King, then our response cannot be passive. Loyalty to him is not meant to be talk alone; it is a way of life. It is shown in the quality of our discipleship. It is measured in our solidarity with those who carry heavy burdens. It becomes visible when our choices are shaped by the Gospel rather than convenience. His Kingdom is built not by grand gestures but by quiet fidelity: the visit to someone lonely, the patience offered in a tense moment, the fairness shown to those who cannot repay us.
Christ’s rule sets us free from the tyranny of thinking of ourselves only. It releases us from the false belief that security comes from control. It invites us into a wider, richer life shaped by love that pours itself out. True kingship, in Christ’s eyes, is always tied to service. True authority heals rather than harms. True greatness bends low to raise others up.
This feast carries a profoundly missionary heartbeat. A kingdom rooted in love cannot remain hidden. It seeks expression in how we live, how we speak, how we accompany others. A faith that liberates cannot simply be admired from a distance. It asks to be shared with warmth, humility and courage.
Our call is not to pressure others into belief, nor to retreat into quiet comfort when the world feels indifferent to God. Our call is to reveal Christ’s kindness in such a way that those around us glimpse a different possibility for their own lives.
Each of us carries this missionary responsibility because each of us here has received the gift of faith, however fragile it might appear at times. Faith is never a possession we’ve earned. It is grace poured into our lives through the witness of others who believed before us.
We stand where we stand because someone prayed for us, accompanied us, taught us to trust in God, or simply lived the Gospel in a way that stirred something within us.
Gratitude for that gift becomes the fire that fuels our desire to help others encounter the same love.
Today, as we mark the end of the liturgical year and celebrate our Harvest Festival, our gratitude is expressed in the way that we support the ongoing work of the church.
Our offerings are not extras but signs of a kingdom built on shared responsibility and hope. These gifts honour Christ our King and become a sign of our gratitude for the gift of faith, while continuing to support the mission of Christ and his church.
May our generosity be blessed and our faith increased as we place our lives once more under the loving reign of Christ our King, trusting that his love will continue to bear fruit in all that we do.
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If you would like to make a monetary donation to support the Mission of the Church you can do so on our website using the give button: https://missio-sacbc.org/donate
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Please consider praying a decade of the rosary on a daily basis for the evangelising Mission of the Church and the Pope’s intentions.
The pope’s prayer intention for November is:
‘For the prevention of suicide”
Let us pray that those who are struggling with suicidal thoughts might find the support, care, and love they need in their community, and be open to the beauty of life.
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Blessed Pauline Jaricot, Pray for us. 🙏🏼🙏🏼
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Batswana Catholics Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference Diocese of Francistown Diocese of Francistown Youth & Young Adults Diocese of Mthatha Catholic Diocese Of Kroonstad Missionary Childhood DIOCESE OF WITBANK YOUTH MINISTRY CATHOLIC YOUTH OF THE DIOCESE OF KLERKSDORP Bethlehem Diocese Youth Catholic Youth- Diocese of Manzini,Swaziland Catholic Diocese of Klerksdorp Catholic Diocese of Kimberley Youth & Young Adults Ministry Catholic Institute of Education Catholic Women’s League Archdiocese of Cape Town Catholic Diocese of Port Elizabeth DIOCESE OF CAPE TOWN #faith #hope #love