BE AN AMBASSADOR OF GOD’S KINGDOM
(2 Sam 5: 1-3, Psalm 122, Colossians 1:12-20, Luke 23:35-43)
Today mother church celebrates Christ, the King of the Universe which marks the end of the liturgical year. Next Sunday begins a new liturgical season which is the first Sunday of Advent Year A. The readings of today draws our attention to the fact that, Jesus’ kingdom is an everlasting one which has no end. His kingdom surpasses all earthly kingdoms. The earthly kingdoms denote power, glory and triumph, but that of Christ denotes service and love for humanity. We are called to be heralds of this kingdom on this earth. But this cannot be possible if we do not make Christ the King of our lives. This is the purpose of today’s celebration, making Christ the center of our lives. When we are part of this kingdom, then we know that at the end of our lives, we shall gain eternal salvation as He has promised us.
What are some of the marks of Christ’s Kingdom that we have to become its ambassadors? One of them is to render humble service to humanity. Christ’s kingdom is one of service to our brethren in the society we find ourselves. “And whosoever would be first among you shall be your servant; just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many” Matt 20: 27-28. As a King, He came to serve His people by laying down His very life for us. Authority is to be used to serve others. Christ calls on us and especially leaders to be servant to all. Leadership is truly about service and not about lording it over our subjects. It is not about showing the people that we are those in charge by being so authoritative. It is about acting by taking the total well-being of the people into consideration. The church community especially, should not have leaders who issue orders and subjects who obey. Or a class of people who are respected, honoured and full of privileges and a lower class with lower dignity. We are one people; hence we must see each other as equal. It should not be seen like the animal farm, where the animals are considered to be equal, but some are more equal than others. This is a sign of a worldly community and not a Christian one. Greatness is achieved in serving others, and service comes with sacrifice. Jesus gives us an example of “a servant- leader”.
Another unique feature is the virtue of unity. Christ came to promote unity among humanity but not divisions. No wonder in His Priestly Prayer, Christ emphasized on the need for His disciples to be united so that they can carry out the task given to them. “…Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one” (Jn 17:11b). The virtue of unity as a cherished value is encouraged in every human society. Precisely why there is a saying that “unity is strength”. Without the spirit of unity, we cannot have any meaningful progress in any human community and the church is of no exception. We are called to be instruments of unity. We cannot claim to be children of God, if we are dividers wherever we find ourselves. Division is not a mark of a Christian, but rather that of the devil. It is the devil and his agents who are always seeking to divide people and scatter them. The Christian Community is one body but with different parts, which are all working towards a common goal. If the gifts given to us are for one purpose as building the peaceful Christian environment and for our salvation, then where from the many fighting, competitions and jealousies among Christians? Do we really see ourselves as one people with a common destiny? I do not think so, because the kind of lives we are portraying to the world do not testify to the Holy Spirit we have received. We are our own enemies in this kingdom business. God has given us different gifts to promote His kingdom on this earth but the very people who are to be united to fight for this purpose have tend to be bitter rivals. We have resorted to backbiting, slandering, gossiping, character assassination and others we can think of. We are supposed to be a team in which we play different roles but with a common objective. This is what the Spirit which we have received encourages us to do. To recognize the gifts of others and encourage ourselves to achieve the potentials in us to the fullest. United we stand, divided we fall.
Another mark of Christ’s Kingdom is the virtue of humility. St. Augustine of Hippo is credited with the saying, “it was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels”. St. Paul clearly pointed out in his letter to the Philippians that Jesus is the embodiment of humility. “Who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, even, the death of the cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name…….” Phil 2:6-11. This is the humility that Jesus calls on His disciples to emulate as His followers on this earth. Jesus was much aware of how the worldly leadership looked like. They expect their subjects to serve them and treat them like gods. But when we come down to the level of the people and see ourselves as one of them, God raises us high among them as was the case of Jesus. Pride is a spiritual wax which blocks us from hearing the promptings of the Holy Spirit. It pays to be humble. Humble yourself and God will lift you high.
My dear friends in Christ, all the Christian virtues we can think of are all marks of the Kingdom of God of which we are called to promote. It is by being authentic witnesses by living out these virtues that we become ambassadors to His kingdom. Our actions and inactions either promote God’s kingdom or that of the devil. We can only become part of His eternal Kingdom, which already begins on this earth if we live out the gospel values. Let us reflect on these questions; Am I really living out the gospel values? Is my life promoting the Kingdom of God or vice versa? Or is my life leading people to God or to the devil? Am I an ambassador of Christ or an agent of the devil? Would I be saved with the kind of life am living? Remember, one day you will die and face judgment. Let this message always guide us as we execute our daily activities. Let your actions today promote the kingdom of God as we have been called to do. And make Christ the King of your life always. AMEN.
LET YOUR LIFE PROMOTES GOD’S KINGDOM. HAVE A BLESSED SUNDAY AND A HAPPY FEAST AS WELL!
REV. FR. AKAKPO MATTHEW
