November 22, 2020
Fr. John Mary’s homily reflects on phrases of the prayer, Our Father, and how His Kingdom can reign through the faithful by our willingness to surrender to HIM and fostering a spirit of faith so that God can act.


Key Points
- In the end, there will be full victory of God’s kingdom when no enemies will be standing and the last enemy, death, will be destroyed.
- As Christians we are called to work and fight for the triumph of our King.
- “Thy Kingdom come” – invite His kingdom to act in us and through us.
- “Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven” – we choose and obey His will and let the graces flow from Heaven.
- Mission of Divine Mercy is a place where His kingship reigns.
Summary
St. Paul says in 1 Corinthians, the end comes when Jesus has destroyed all the enemies. We as Christians are called to work and help in this fight when we pray the Our Father by trusting Him, choosing His will, and letting Him act through us.
On the celebration of the anniversary of the Mission of Divine Mercy, we give thanks to all Community, Amici Christi, staff, volunteers, donors, and all friends of the Mission who share in this act by spreading the word and letting God’s Kingship act through us.
Homily based on 1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 28 – “Then comes the end when Christ hands over the keys to His Father…” – this reading is speaking to us of this long war of Jesus against Satan, sin and death – which will end in the full victory of God’s kingdom – St. Paul says when he has destroyed every sovereignty and every authority in power – St. Paul says He must reign until He has put all of His enemies under His feet – at the end no enemies will be standing, the last enemy to be destroyed is death – CS Lewis said the life of a Christian on this earth is like a soldier behind enemy lines – St. John said the whole world is under the power of the evil one – like a usurper imposing his tyranny, terrible painful consequences and all pain that causes – we as Christians are called to work and fight for the triumph of our King – when we pray the Our Father, we say Thy Kingdom Come – but where can that kingdom come now – it can come into our own life – into our families, our work, activities, parish -anywhere within our sphere of influence, we can invite His kingdom – let His kingdom act in us and through us – we can begin to win little spaces of liberation – example of our Blessed Mother – opened her life to the kingship of Jesus Christ – she did more than any creature has ever done to bring about the liberation of humanity, and with her, St. Joseph – don’t have to have great power, just need to surrender to our Lord, Jesus Christ – doesn’t mean things will be easy – but we know who will be the ultimate victor – how can we work for the triumph of His kingdom? – first, by trusting Him – then by choosing Him, because He doesn’t impose His kingship – He eventually does that on His enemies, but gives us freedom and respects our freedom – on this feast of Christ the King during this Mass we can choose Jesus as our King – next thing we pray is “thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven” – if we want His kingdom to reign, we choose His will and obey Him – by choosing His will, we can let His will act through us – on this earth there can be these graces which flow from Heaven – “on earth as it is in Heaven” – today by God’s providence, it is the celebration of the 19th anniversary of the Mission of Divine Mercy – the Mission is called to be a little place, a community where Jesus’ Kingship reigns – it’s imperfect, because we are sinners – but it can be a place where His Kingship reigns – when beginning the Mission of Divine Mercy, they talked to the Bishop, he said it sounded to him like they were starting a movement, an ecclesial movement, a church movement, not just a community, or congregation – a little movement – different ways to belong to it – consecrated members, and lay branch Amici Christi – staff, who share daily in sacrifices – volunteers – all those who consider themselves friends of the Mission of Divine Mercy in many different ways – celebrate right before Thanksgiving, this is an opportunity to give thanks to all those who have made it possible – by participating in this Holy Mass – those who participate by spreading the word – all donations – all work and service – and all the less visible ways, of friendship, encouragement, prayer, sacrifice, (heavy but valuable sacrifice) – when you unite your cross with His cross it becomes very powerful – finally, just living the spirit of the Mission – spirit of faith so that God can act – all of that helps have a place where Jesus can reign – Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven – already on earth His Kingship can act through us – privilege to share in this difficult battle – during Mass is an opportunity to pray, Thy Kingdom Come –