ALLOW HIM TO RULE YOU

St Bernadette Church, Bayou Vista
34th Sunday – Christ the King Sermon
2 Sam 5:1-3; Col 1:12-20; Lk 23: 35-43
Allow Him to Rule You
Kingship symbolizes the summit of power and control. We do not want anyone to dominate us, yet we often desire to dominate others. In daily life, we allow many things—money, power, position, even lust—to take control of us. When these rule our hearts, human dignity is diminished and true happiness is lost. As we near the end of Cycle C in the liturgical calendar, we are invited to reflect on how we can make space for Christ—the Lord of life—to reign within us.
A King in Contradiction: The Israelites long awaited the Messianic king foretold in prophecy, one who would rule like David. In the Old Testament books of Samuel, Micah, Isaiah, and Jeremiah, the Messiah appears as a king: Isaiah speaks of a peaceful kingdom (11:1–9); Micah announces his coming (5:1); Daniel describes an everlasting dominion (7:13–14).
At the Annunciation, the angel told Mary, “He will be king, and his kingdom will never end” (Lk 1:32–33). The Magi asked, “Where is the baby born to be King of the Jews?” (Mt 2:2). At his entry into Jerusalem, the crowd proclaimed, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord” (Lk 19:38). Before the Ascension, Jesus declared, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Mt 28:18).
After the multiplication of the loaves, the people wanted to make him king, believing a king should meet material needs. Jesus rejected this and withdrew (Jn 6:15). What kind of king, then, is he? The gospel scene reveals the heart of Christ’s kingship: he rules not by force but by forgiveness; not by domination but by mercy; not by humiliating enemies but by giving his life for them. His crown is of thorns, his procession the road to Calvary, and his first subject a repentant sinner on a cross. Here we see the truth: the power of Christ the King is the power of love that saves.
A Unique King: Jesus is not a king in a worldly sense but one with a unique Kingdom. The Kingdom of God was central to his teaching and ministry. If he were not a true king, the demons would not have obeyed him, Lazarus would not have returned to life, and the wind and sea would not have calmed at his command. His kingship is revealed on the cross, which becomes his throne, and in the Sermon on the Mount, which becomes his law. His citizens obey one command: “Love others as I have loved you” (Jn 13:34)—a love that is selfless, sacrificial, compassionate, forgiving, and unconditional.
Give Him Space: On this feast of Christ the King, we are invited to ask ourselves: Who or what rules my heart? Is it fear? Is it anger? Is it pride or the need to be in control? Or is it Christ—who reigns with compassion, gentleness, and truth?
The Good Thief shows us the way. He does not demand a miracle. He does not bargain with God. He simply entrusts himself—his past, his pain, his shame, his very life—into the hands of Jesus. In doing so, he discovers that Christ’s kingdom is not distant. It is offered freely to those who open their hearts in trust.
Hence, being part of Jesus’ kingship depends on our willingness to let him rule our hearts and lives. He comes to us in this Mass in the form of living bread and wine. Like the tribes at Hebron who acclaimed David as king, we too can ask Jesus to be the Lord of our lives. And like the repentant thief, we can ask him to take us into his kingdom so that he may rule our hearts.
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