Thy Kingdom Come

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 19^th 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 –