2 Sm 5:1-3
Ps 122:1-2, 3-4, 4-5
Col 1:12-20
Lk 23:35-43
Food for thought:
It's the least likely place to find a king: beaten, bloody, dying upon the horrific Roman instrument of crucifixion, in the midst of two common criminals. That's the scene selected by the Church to portray Christ our King, today.
One of the criminals hanging next to Jesus on the cross represents us. Jesus is our king and we want to spend eternity with him in his kingdom. As long as we have this attitude, there is no reason to doubt that when we die we will join Jesus in Paradise.
The scene sums up so much of the Gospel of Luke. At the beginning of Luke's account, Jesus is placed in a manger: another unlikely setting for a king. In his infancy stories, Luke wants us to recall Israel's great King David, and then tells us what true kingship is all about.
As the king of heaven, Jesus has the right and the authority to choose who is allowed into his kingdom. And as this Good Friday thief shows us, Jesus says, "Yes, come in, welcome!" to anyone who recognizes his authority.
With these portraits of our King comes an understanding of the reign of God which he proclaims. That heavenly reign is populated by those who seek it in humility; by the poor and those rejected by society, by those who imitate their crucified King in love, forgiveness and reconciliation, even as he hangs on the cross.
Let's look at what the authority of Jesus is like. At the Last Supper, when he washed the feet of his disciples, he made it clear that the heavenly king exerts his authority by serving those who belong to his kingdom.
The next day, he took a crown of thorns instead of a crown of gold and gems, because the glory of his kingship is not represented by earthly treasures but by riches that are given to others, the personal sacrifices that are motivated by love, even for those who don't deserve it.
After his resurrection, although he'd been healed from the destruction of death, his five crucifixion wounds were not healed. To this day, he still bears those wounds as a continual reminder that he does not use his authority for his own benefit, but for ours. Earthly kings wear expensive rings on their hands; our heavenly king wears the marks of sacrifice.
We know that we belong to God's kingdom because of how lovingly we serve others with Christ. When we understand the glory of giving to others, of making personal sacrifices, and of loving those who don't deserve our love, we are in God's kingdom.
When we offer to Jesus our sufferings because we realize that they have value, we wear the five wounds of Jesus in our souls, and we are in God's kingdom.
We live in a world with a lot less royalty than in past centuries. And yet we still can be tempted by our own brand of royalty and a love for the trappings of wealth and power. The voice of our crucified King, inviting us to Paradise along with the repentant thief, cuts through all that is shallow and cannot truly satisfy. Will we hear it today and be united with him in paradise?
- Why is a shepherd a good image of King David and of Christ?
- How are you like the criminal asking Christ to save you?
- How is Christ like an alternative king and different from an earthly ruler in the first century or now?
- What would you say to Jesus as he hangs near death, on the cross?
- Reflect on a time when you submitted yourself to Christ's authority by obeying a difficult teaching of the Church or by doing something Christ-like that you didn't want to do. Did you feel loved by God? Did you feel served?
- What will you do to become more aware of his service to you?
- What are you holding onto today that does not belong to his kingdom?
- What will you do this week to allow Jesus to be your king in every area of your life?
- Name some of the ways that Jesus serves us. Does he do it more often one-on-one with you or through the people of his kingdom?
- When you serve others, how is this a recognition of the kingship and authority of Christ?
Words of Wisdom:
“Oh God,” I said and that was all. But what are the prayers of the whole universe more than expressions of that one cry? It is not what God can give us, but God that we want.
~ George MacDonald
The Gospel passage captures the great mystery of how the Son of God, as Saviour of humankind is cruelly mocked and condemned as a criminal. This mystery shows God's infinite mercy and love for us. Ponder on this truth and beg God for the gift of repentance and the grace to renew our love and commitment to him.
~ Rev. Fr Philip Heng , S.J
Published by Jacob Soo
Credits to American Catholic.org and Good News Ministries
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