As it has yet again been awhile since I last posted a Gospel Reflection – and because this past Sunday, November 21, was the feast of Christ the King, as well as the last Sunday in ordinary time for the Liturgy – what better time to prepare for Advent than to glorify the entire reason we have access to God’s saving grace: Jesus Christ – our divine, eternal king, of *everything*.
And what better time to recommend an outstanding video by Bishop Robert Barron, who gets right to the heart of this subject and essentially asks the question that tends to rattle many a cages: Are you a true Christian?
Yes, in this current society, where casting judgement may incite backlash comments such as “only God can judge”, or “who are you to judge me?”, or “Christians are self-righteous thugs who think they are better than anyone else”, or secular / non-religious cherry picking Scripture passages to put Christians in their place (“didn’t Jesus say something about “He who is without sin, cast the first stone?”) – we now deal with an already difficult subject and have combined it the hypersensitivity and hurt feelings.
That’s not to say that everyone should be carte blanche judgmental – or at least not having a strong reason for casting judgement. Yet the alternative — staying silent about issues that can smash morals and values into smithereens — is not the answer either.
Which is why Bishop Barron asks this question near the beginning of his homily: Is Jesus the king of *every aspect* of your life?
Now, be ready for Bishop Barron’s blunt answer: If Jesus is the not king of *every aspect* of your life, you are just “horsing around with Christianity” – you are not living it Or simply put: It is *not real Christianity*. A harsh realization, no? But let’s continue to see why this blunt answer is necessary.
Bishop Barron breaks down various aspects of life as follows, and whether Jesus is truly your king:
Family: Do you love our family members because you want to be accord with them, to lift each other up, to help each other grow in our relationship with God. Or do you have a self-serving agenda? Do you use people in your family for our own personal gain? Do you have superficial, selfish reasons for not being “fruitful and multiplying”? If so, then Christ is not your king.
Sexual life: Even in 2021, this can be a taboo subject. But it is one we must discuss. Namely, do you view sex as pleasure first, and for other reasons second? Do you view sexual compatibility as the top reason for remaining in a relationship? If so, then Christ is not your king.
Professional life: Is God at the center of your work life? Or do you hyper-focus on money, on climbing the career ladder, or viewing social hierarchies as power structures that you must take down or dominate? If so, then Christ is not your king.
Personal life: If Jesus were sitting right next to you in any situation –whether you are at the grocery store, or driving in heavy traffic, or watching news stories that upset you, or talking with family and friends, or whatever the situation may be – would you feel totally at ease that Jesus is right there with you?
This does not mean we are required to live an ultra-puritanical life, where we can never be playful, or joke around, or show our emotions in tough situations, or get out an experience the many awesome components of life – though it doesn’t mean we have free reign to act however we want, whenever we want, and with whomever we want.
Just as we have laws in the secular world to help keep society as peaceful and non-tyrannical as possible, God has given us laws on how to live as fellow beings, prayer as a crucial means to nurturing a relationship with Him, and the Sacraments so that we can further strengthen our communion with Him and remain morally obedient.
Or if you choose to lead a life of moral relativism, then Christ is not your king.
Intellectual life: Do you reflect often on your beliefs? Do you read faith related books or article that challenge you and force you to deepen your understanding of your faith journey? Do you read Sacred Scripture throughout the week? Are you able to explain the deposit of faith – Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition – to seekers, or to Catholics who may not be well catechized?
Bishop Barron points out in the video that many youth today fall away from Christianity because they do not receive well-explained answers to their questions. This means we have a crisis of intellectualism. And because most people first come to know God through reason and some degree of intellectual understanding of our faith, it is crucial to be intellectually sound.
That does not mean having to be a master apologist or theology wizard – rather, we all must have a solid, primer understanding of our faith and without hesitating much when we answer commonly challenging questions. Otherwise, Christ is not the king of your intellectual life.
Your body: Do you treat your body as a temple? Or do you let vices and excuses keep your body from being in the best form it can be? If so, then Christ is not the king of your body.
Now, all of that said, is Christ truly the king of every aspect of your life? Are you truly – Christian?
Gospel reading for November 21, 2021 / The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112121.cfm
Bishop Robert Barron — “Is Jesus the King of Your Life?”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tICxaSQFJGo