The Most Rev. John Alphonse Asiedu, SVD, Vicar of the Apostolic Vicariate of Donkorkrom in Ghana’s Eastern Region has in a homily on the Solemnity of Christ the King, declared that the Kingdom of Christ is completely different from the Kingdoms of the world, which was Jesus’ own response to Pilate before his Passion according to Scriptures. (Jn.18:36)
“Today all our three Readings speak about the Kingdom. They speak about the Kingdom of this world which will disappear when the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ appears. The Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ is completely different from the kingdoms of this world”, he underlined.
The prelate went further to explain that the kingdoms of this world are uncountable and very often consist of a nationality, a language, a tribe or few tribes together, who very often are in war with one another, robbing them of peace, unlike the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ which is just one single Kingdom which embraces all languages, tribes, nationalities, and has only one King, “who is unique, who is special, who is not like the other kings of the world”.
“There is no compare with this King who is the Universal King, our Lord Jesus Christ; King of justice, love, king of peace,” he professed.
The Bishop further elucidated that unlike earthly kings who are normally served by their servants, people they have conquered and brought under their rule, on whom they exert power, glory and authority, the Kingdom of Jesus Christ is a Kingdom of service.
“Jesus told us that he did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many,” he reminded, adding that Jesus constantly charged his disciples to learn from him humility, love and service for the common and simple people; people who are on the margins of society.
The Chief Shepherd urged the faithful that if they truly want to be members of Christ’s Kingdom, they must model their lives after the example of Jesus, the Universal King, who humbled himself, took upon himself human flesh, suffered and died a shameful death on the Cross, just to save humanity from their sins,
“As Jesus came to serve and to give his life for us, so also, he expects us to continue what he left for us; to serve our brothers and sisters especially those who are at the margins of society. Whoever feels too proud to serve our brothers and sisters especially those who are most in need of our help is not fit to belong to the kingdom of our lord Jesus Christ,” he stated.
The bishop drew the attention of the faithful to the fact that they did nothing to merit being called members of Christ’s Kingdom. It is “God’s grace, God’s own initiative that he has brought all of us together, and that is why members of this kingdom are not only from one language, or nationality or tribe,” he clarified.
“We are from the whole world, and that is how the Catholic Church is. It belongs to all languages, races, nationalities of the world,” he added.
Bishop Asiedu further encouraged that as members of Christ’s Kingdom, the faithful were to bring many more people who have not yet come to know Christ, into this kingdom, by spreading the salvific message to them; not just by word of mouth, but also by the example of their own lived lives; the way they carry out their work, and how they conduct themselves day by day.
The Christians were further encouraged to be nice and welcoming to strangers, especially people from different languages and cultures, saying that “We have to receive everybody we meet and see Jesus dwelling in that person. Whoever we receive, whoever we do good to, we are doing to Jesus”.
Making reference to the Gospel Passage where Pilate questioned Jesus of his identity and mission, at his passion, the Bishop underlined that by his response, Jesus wanted to be very clear to Pilate that he was not a threat to any earthly king, he was not there to fight with any earthly king and conquer his people. “No, he came to give his life up for people and claim them for God, eternally”.
“If we truly want to live as members of the kingdom of which Jesus is the universal king, then there shouldn’t be any war, any struggle, any division, any problems in our world again,” he recommended.
The bishop prayed that the Lord will “direct every thought, action and every sort of life we live so that we will be true members of his kingdom, true followers of His. That we may also support and encourage one another advice and assist one another, that our life will truly reflect the life of Jesus our Lord and our King”.
The November 24, 2024 celebration of Christ the Universal King, took place at Kokrobuta, one of the 7 Island Stations of the Apostolic Vicariate of Donkorkrom, where Christians from across the other 6 stations converged for the Bishop’s Pastoral Visit.
There was a procession around the Kokrobuta village with the Blessed Sacrament with stop overs and Benediction at 4 different Altars stationed in the neighbourhood.
By Sr. Sylvie Lum Cho, MSHR (DEPSOCOM, Apostolic Vicariate of Donkorkrom)
