The Parable of the King's Subjects

 

Christ the King (7)

 

Once upon a time there was a King

Who so loved His subjects

That He left His palace to live among them

And assist them to build a mansion

Wherein all of them could reside

Together with Him forever.

 

For meetings, shows and concerts. But as He dwelt in their midst,

They gradually forgot His dignity,

And the love and gratitude they owed Him.

And they began to lose their reverence for Him.

They spoke of Him without respect.

They no longer paid homage to Him.

Or, if they did, they were ridiculed

And reprimanded by His courtiers.

 

When they came into His presence,

They talked and laughed with one another

And paid Him no heed at all.

They took no care of their dress,

And appeared before Him in rags.

Immodest garb and beachware.

 

And when He invited them to sup with Him,

They did not even wash themselves.

But came to His supper without preparation.

And there especially they disregarded

All the rules laid down

By the King’s chamberlain.

They mocked the King’s chamberlain,

And called Him an old man and a foreigner.

How rich, privileged, and well-educated they were.

 

They permitted those to serve at table

Who were unacceptable for such a position.

They brought along court jesters

With painted faces to entertain;

And dancing girls to distract the attention of the guests

From the King, their Host.

Their conversation was to and about one another,

And there was much socializing and

Good fellowship.

But the King was ignored…

 

They stripped the King’s Rooms bare

Of the pictures of His family and friends.

And adorned them with gaudy trivial things.

Eventually they moved the King

Out of His chambers

Because they needed the space

For meetings, shows and concerts.

And they thrust Him

Into a closet in a side chamber.

He was no longer allowed to hold court.

 

His Golden Throne was discarded,

And those who wanted

To come to see Him privately,

Often found the door locked.

His personal attendants were given

Other jobs to do,

And his personal affairs were made subservient

To politics, fund-raising and

Community socials.

 

The mansion they had been invited to build,

Was forgotten

Because it was a prospect for the future,

And they were interested

Only in the present

And the King in His Closet wept,

Because He loved them.

And He knew

That if they continued on this way…

Their future would end in destruction. +

 

(As preached on Fr. Bill Casey’s audio series “Christ, Miracle Worker in the Holy Eucharist”)

About Fr. Bill Casey

Father Bill Casey is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and a 1979 graduate of Temple University. After graduating from college, he served as an officer in the U.S. Army. Upon leaving the Army, he entered the Congregation of the Fathers of Mercy. He studied Philosophy at Christendom College and Theology at Holy Apostles Seminary and was ordained to the priesthood in 1991. From 1997-2009, Fr. Casey served as the Superior General of the Congregation. Father attributes his call to the priesthood to the Mercy of God, his love for the study of Sacred Scripture, and his strong devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Father Casey is a nationally renowned speaker and a frequent guest on EWTN.