One of the discussions on the blogs has been how fascinating that this solemnity, Christ the King appears at this time where there is a bit of upheaval in the world. For us Americans, it is also interesting for I am sure you, like me, when watching the coverage of the aftermath of the Paris terrorist attacks  can remember that aftermath of 9/11 and how the whole country was in this terrified state and the slightest rumor put people on edge. This is Europe’s 9/11. Let us remember who France is, the center of the French revolution, the liberal movement away from the transcendent thought and into political thought that pursued liberty, equality and fraternity.

The world today is in an uproar because, however, there is evil about and no one knows how to deal with it. Many in the Vatican are calling it what it is, evil. Fr. Gabriel Amorth has said that there is the presence of the demonic in terrorism, but  world leaders many have no idea how to deal with it because they have no powers of discernment

It is in the midst of this that we all see today’s gospel celebrating this feast where Pilate stands in his Jerusalem residence surrounded by six hundred of his soldiers questioning Jesus apart from those who brought him. It is his job to judge whether this prisoner is worthy of the death penalty.

Pilate is most likely less interested in justice and more concerned about a riot breaking out in Jerusalem. He stands there in his full military uniform making it clear that in that city and in that moment he and he alone represents the power of the great Roman Empire. He holds the fate of Jesus in his hand, a position that would terrify some, indeed some died of fright before crucifixion even happened. Here was Jesus standing before the greatest political power of the time and not phased, not intimidated. Meanwhile, Pilate is confused. He learns that Jesus is a king called to testify to the truth and the governor realizes that he is completely confused on anything Jesus is saying.

Pilate moves politically in a game of chess with the Jewish people where Jesus and later Barabbas are pawns, but he can only move politically, for he admits he does not understand truth and remains confused on what he must do.

We should know by now that the world has its scary moments and its comfortable ones. This is one of its scary moments, and if we put our faith in the political and military powers of the day, our future will remain uncertain.

Four hundred years after this biblical scene took place, the Roman Empire was a crumbling remnant defeated in much the same way as we see playing out in Europe. With raiding barbarians challenging the power of the west.

However, the power of truth that Jesus is, remains and has remained for six thousand years in Jews and later us Christians too

Where is your loyalty, to whom do you seek alliance in world leaders or in Christ

If you see Christ, your too will find the truth in the kingdom, if you see the others you may or may not find stability. Embrace Christ, you embrace the rock of salvation. Embrace the others you embrace a powerful but rocky boat.

St. Paul reminds us that we owe obedience to the emperor, so it is our role is to be good citizens but only in service to the political powers in the form of being in service to the ultimate powers we find in Christ as King. When we live in service to him and serve our country in service to Him, our witness to truth becomes stronger than our political leaders ability to find the evil that seeks to destroy us all.

This is a good time to make the resolution to witness to truth, to understand what the Bible teaches in all its pages take a good inventory of your life and make a good confession during Advent. Be obedient to those powers to whom you owe your citizenship, but trust none of them for salvation. Trust only God, for he only can offer what even Pilate and his political descendants cannot: eternal life and salvation far beyond the reach of ISIS and its and all  false understandings of martyrdom. Remember, true martyrdom is giving one’s life for truth, not sacrificing others to your god.

God Bless You,

Fr Robert J Carr

Fr. Carr is an alliance member of the New Song Community (Canção Nova). He is the pastor of Holy Trinity Quincy, MA and is the editor of this blog. He is the author of several books, blogs and hundreds of videos all of which you may find on Youtube. He also has a regular radio program on WebRadio Canção Nova. Which he podcasts on Podomatic and here on Catholicismanew. You can follow him on twitter as @frbobcarr and on Google plus as+FrRobertCarr. Thoughts, comments on the homily? Let us know at Facebook