Solemnity of Christ the King - Homily

          I had some plans to celebrate the conclusion of the Year of Faith. I was thinking about going to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, or to celebrate Mass in the venerable Mexico Cathedral. However God had different plans for me. I had a celebration for the conclusion of the Year of Faith but is wasn’t in any of the above places. The Mass I was blessed to concelebrate was at the house of the ex-prostitutes. The Oblates from the Seminary in Mexico City together with a group of volunteers provide some pastoral care to the women who used to be prostitutes. Because of their age or illness they were abandoned by their bosses. There is a house in the City where they can find a place to live with some dignity now. As I stood beside Fr Francesco who was presiding over the Mass which was celebrated in the central yard of the house with some residents gathered around I was looking at the simple altar where the Lord was ascending under the species of Bread and Wine and then my eyes were moving to the little crowd of the ex-prostitutes. What I saw at that Mass it was resembling the Gospel we read for the Solemnity of Christ the King. Jesus dying on the cross with the two criminals on his left and right. One was cursing Jesus, the other was saying the words we know so well: “Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom.” How much the ladies from the house were the icon of that scene from the Gospel. The thief didn’t end up next to the cross of Jesus because he repented or wanted to change his life. He was there because he was caught on committing a crime. When he asked for forgiveness from Jesus he didn’t have many options. It wasn’t a spectacular conversion or a change of life. However this Solemnity isn’t about spectacular conversion of a big sinner but it is about spectacular mercy of the Saviour towards a big sinner. Jesus’ mercy preserved the man from despair. However it wasn’t about some sweet words and saying: ”Don’t worry. You aren’t bad.” Jesus hanging on the cross crushed the hardened heart of a big sinner, who acknowledged his sin and took responsibility for his evil actions. Jesus’ reaction was: “Indeed, I promise you, today you will be with me I paradise.”
          The women from the house we visited weren’t there because they wanted to improve their life. There were like the thief from the Gospel, they didn’t have a choice, but the Oblates with the volunteers gave them a choice to have Christ the Lord right in their midst so that even if the ladies have damaged their life they weren’t condemned into despair we could see in the criminal who was cursing Jesus. Some of the women attended the Mass, some didn’t, but the Lord Jesus was there sacrificing himself, like he did on Good Friday.
          I missed some big and splendid celebrations for the conclusion of the Year of Faith but I knew that at that Mass with the ex-prostitutes I was given the view that was given to Mary and John who stood next to the cross. They saw Jesus saving a big sinner from despair. I witnessed the same. The Lord was brining hope and peace to the women who have got exploited so badly. No one can change what they have done to themselves but the Lord Jesus wants to extend his reign to them too. We can talk and discuss a lot about what Jesus’ kingdom means. However on this Solemnity I witnessed that Jesus’ kingdom is as real as real are sufferings and tragedies of our brothers and sisters. Even more, Jesus’ kingdom is not only real, it is necessary because only Jesus’ reign takes people from the path leading to despair. I thank God for Fr Francesco and the volunteers who take Jesus’ reign to the house of the ex-prostitutes, they extend Jesus’ kingdom beyond their own comfortable home and churches. Let us ask ourselves what we do for the growth of Jesus’ kingdom?

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