December 4, 2024
Paulist Fr. Rich Andre preached this homily on the Solemnity of Christ, King of the Universe (Year B) on November 24, 2024, at Old St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Chicago, IL. The homily is based on the day’s readings: Daniel 7:13-14; Psalm 93; Revelation 1:5-8; and John 18:33b-37.
At the center of our gospel passage today lies one of the greatest questions of philosophy: “What is truth?” It’s a fascinating question to ask in the last week of our liturgical year, on the Solemnity of Christ, King of the Universe. All of our readings today speak of kings, kingdoms, and kingship, which might initially seem at odds with our American ideas of democracy and the Church’s recent push for greater consultation. But the images of the LORD as almighty in our first two readings and psalm give way to a very different image in our gospel passage.
In a scene filled with dramatic irony in the Gospel of John, Pontius Pilate claims that he holds the power of death over Jesus. But in raising Lazarus, Jesus has shown power over death. Pilate asks “What is truth?” to the person we Christians believe to be the embodiment of absolute Truth.
Let us allow Christ’s Truth to reign in our minds, on our lips, and in our hearts. Then, in Eucharist, let us take Christ himself into our bodies without fear, confident in God’s mercy.
Lord Jesus, you are the way, the truth, and the life. Lord, have mercy.
Christ Jesus, you are our light, our feast, and our strength. Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you are our joy, our love, and our heart. Lord, have mercy.
It’s been said that every college student studying philosophy must go through a relativist phase. So, now that the shopping season is upon us, if you have a philosophy major that you know and love who hasn’t gone through this phase yet, give them two gifts for Christmas this year: (1) black clothing and (2) gift cards to overpriced coffee shops. Eventually, they’ll be hanging out at these venues, wearing all black, sipping double espressos, and lamenting in a dispassionate tone that there is no purpose to life. Smoking cigarettes and skipping classes? Those are optional.
I’d like to speed the philosophy majors through this phase so they can more quickly rejoin us here at church. Here, we believe that we have purpose. We believe that definitive Truth (with a capital T) exists, but it will take our entire lives and all of our energy to come to understand it.
At this time and in this place, our ideas about seeking “truth” probably come in at least two different forms. First, with so many people in our community engaged in academics and the sciences, we probably think of concrete “truth” — something human beings can find through hard work, reading, memorization, and research. But second, when it comes to the vexing problems facing us as individuals and as a society – as we question if we’ve chosen the right career path, as we listen to news reports about political conflicts, as the world grapples with how to face its challenges – determining “truth” is much harder. We can’t know the right answer for sure even after we invest the hard work, reading, and research we do – although many people on the internet and cable TV seem convinced that they have the answers to everything. This kind of truth needs to be ethical, even though it is not based solely on black-and-white facts. It must also fit within our subjective experiences as individuals.
We come to know this second kind of truth, this definitive Truth, through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We come to see that Truth – and to understand our fundamental purpose – as we build a personal relationship with Jesus. For Christians, our great, definitive Truth is not a set of emotionless facts. Our Truth is a person: our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, King of the Universe.
The passion of St. John is simultaneously simple and complex. On one level, Jesus appears to be powerless. He is arrested by armed soldiers. He’s sentenced in a rigged trial. He becomes the latest victim crucified by the ruthless Pontius Pilate.
But John’s dramatic irony tells another story. In the presence of Christ, the corruption of the soldiers, the Jewish leaders, and the Roman government comes to light. Pontius Pilate, who tries to portray himself as all-powerful, becomes a fool. Even as he asserts power over the Jewish leaders, he shows how desperate he is for the support of the Jewish people to stay in the good graces of Rome. As Pilate interrogates Jesus, it is Jesus who places Pilate and the world on trial. As Pilate sneeringly asks Jesus if he is a king, Jesus responds with certitude and nobility. Because Pilate does not belong to the truth, he looks straight into the eyes of Jesus Christ and asks, “What is truth?” How ironic. How sad.
When it comes to seeking the definitive, purpose-giving Truth of Christ, what should we do? Obviously, we should pray. That prayer should attempt to place us in conversation with Jesus. Even though Jesus lived in very different circumstances than our little corner of the universe in the South Loop of Chicago in late November 2024, does Christ’s Truth shed light on our circumstances? As we face these difficult decisions, do we allow Christ’s thoughts to enter our minds, Christ’s words to cross our lips, and Christ’s love to permeate our hearts? Throughout John’s gospel, everyone who encounters the truth of Jesus Christ is forever changed. Nicodemus, the Samaritan woman, and the woman caught in adultery each face their own failings, but they also experience the unconditional love of God through Jesus Christ. They are transformed in the light of this Truth.
But maybe your prayer doesn’t seem to bring you to Christ’s Truth. Maybe you’re paralyzed by all the less-than-ideal choices facing you and our world. Maybe you’re still not sure what choices to make. What else can you do?
Well, there is another kind of person, beside the relativist philosophy major, who hangs out at overpriced coffee shops, wearing black clothing: the Catholic priest. But priests don’t necessarily go for the caffeine (although there are baristas all over the country who know the standard orders for certain Paulist Fathers on sight). Coffee shops are a great place to talk with people who are sincerely seeking to discover the Truth, whether or not they believe that that Truth is embodied in Jesus Christ. This kind of Truth is not found by two people wrestling with each other using their own set of facts; it’s found by listening to one another’s stories. Even though I am an extreme extravert who constantly interrupts people, friends and strangers alike claim that I am a very good listener. If you or a friend is looking for a companion on the journey toward truth, please know that Fr. Dan, Fr. Bob, and I would each be glad to grab coffee with you or your friend. If you want to make an appointment with any of us, just call the office or e-mail us with your availability, and let us know a few times you’d be available to meet 3 or 4 weeks in advance. Oblate James wears just as much black as the priests, and he is also a skilled listener. He and many other people on our parish staff who don’t wear as much black would be glad to journey with you, too!
Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. And the Truth will set us free.