Texts: 2 Sam 23:1-7; Ps 132:1-13; Rev 1:4b-8; John 18:33-37
Date: Nov. 26, 2006

The bulletin cover designates today as "Christ the King." In the BAS lectionary, the day is called "The Reign of Christ." The name change raises some questions.

The lectionary compilers apparently felt that the image of "king" did not work well in our culture. That may be less true in Canada than in the U.S., which rejected monarchy in 1776. However, while Canadians still look to a monarch as the head of our government, the manner in which the Queen exercises her office bears little resemblance to Biblical concepts of kingship—as we see it in David and his house, and most especially as in Jesus the Christ.

The Queen’s rule here in Canada is essentially symbolic. The real power resides in the legislatures of the provinces and the nation, especially with the Premiers and the Prime Minister. What is left to the Queen and her representatives is a more or less mute role, "surrounded with the art and beauty of a tradition that is more antique than active,"(1) to quote one American commentator.

Applying this present-day image of monarchy to Jesus, could lead us to see him as "hopelessly outdated and practically mute in these postmodern times."(2)  So what do we mean when we acclaim Christ as our King, and celebrate his reign as Lord of all the nations?

I believe one thing is clear from today’s readings: Jesus’ reign is unlike that of any earthly king. As he tells Pilate "my kingdom is not from this world."(3) That does not mean that he does not reign in this world, but that his authority comes from elsewhere.

But in one respect his kingdom is like others: as an earthly king reigns over a territory and the subjects that live there, his reign creates a "people." And so we declare this today: Christ has made us a people.

The people of God—Christ’s people—are those who have accepted Christ’s reign in their lives, vowing to follow their king in all things.

Christ’s realm is not limited by any human construct, whether political boundaries, language, race, or wealth. All are welcome into this kingdom of grace. The only requirement is to say "Yes" to Jesus: to pass through the waters of baptism, and to live into the promises of baptism, whether made by us or for us.

In other realms we choose our leaders—electing members of governments, hiring CEO’s for businesses, appointing commanders of military units. No human chose Jesus Christ as leader; rather, he has chosen us to be his people. All we can do is say "Yes."

Christ has chosen us and called us to proclaim and celebrate his gracious reign. More than that, we are called to model that reign, so that the love of God may be visible in and through our life as a church, and as individual members of that church.

It is a call that should never be taken lightly. Just as Canadian citizenship confers duties on the holder, so citizenship in Christ’s kingdom has its responsibilities. We look to Jesus, the "pioneer and perfecter of our faith,"(4) to know how we are to live out those responsibilities. Other kings reign from thrones, but Christ reigns from a cross, giving his all for all, raising us with him to the heavenly realms.

As we continue in this earthly life, our citizenship in heaven calls us to a special kind of life: welcoming, loving, and caring, respecting the dignity of all human beings, working for peace and justice throughout the world, beginning where we are and where we live.

This last week, many of the diocesan clergy and lay members of the Diocesan Executive attended an Anti-Racism Training workshop, led by two national church staff members. It was a challenging but enlightening two days, out of which I believe we came with a new resolve to build a truly inclusive community within our diocese. Racism may not seem to be an issue for many non-aboriginal people. However, I am in regular contact with aboriginal people who tell a different story. What I hear from them and what I learned at the workshop lead me to believe that we need to hear those stories, and try to walk with the story tellers in the pain of their lives.

A whole and healthy Body of Christ will be much better able to proclaim Christ’s Reign: we can not preach what we do not practice. Therefore, we need to hear each other’s pain, sharing our stories, weeping with those who weep, and rejoicing with those who rejoice, aboriginal and non-aboriginal alike. As we bear one another’s joys and sorrows, healing and wholeness can and will come to the Body of Christ. Then,

… the Reign of Christ will begin to be more visible in our midst, to us and to all who encounter us. God’s love will be poured out anew in our church, in our homes and families, in our communities and our nation.

Today we acclaim Christ as our King, submitting ourselves to his loving reign. We bring our lives, our joys and our sorrows, our achievements and our failures, our loves and our hates, and lay them all at the foot of the cross from which our Lord Jesus Christ reigns.

Is Jesus outdated and mute in this society? If he is, it is only because we make him so. No, Christ is our king, a king for all times, for yesterday, for today, and for tomorrow, a king who calls out to his people to hear and believe and to follow in the service of our God.

Let our lives show forth his Gospel.

Let our lips proclaim his truth.

Let our hearts accept his love, now and always.

Amen.