2 Samuel 5:1-3
Psalms 122:1-2, 3-4, 4-5
Colossians 1:12-20
Luke 23:35-43
Today is the Solemnity of Jesus Christ, the King of the Universe. It signals the end of the Church liturgical calendar, Year C, in which we have enjoyed reading and hearing the gospel of St. Luke. As Catholics, we are invited to reminisce about what we have learned during the year with complete love and humility to accept the lordship and authority of Jesus in our lives. We give thanks to God, through the Holy Spirit’s guidance throughout the year, for the knowledge and perseverance to be transformed as His children.
We have three inspiring readings taken from the Old and New Testament. Our first reading from the book of the Prophet Samuel speaks about David being anointed as King of Israel, after all the elders came to him in Hebron. He had already been anointed as the King of Judah which was a separate territory. This event, making David the King of both Judah and Israel, was a very historical event. David was called to unite the divided land and be a king under God. Then we read in the succeeding chapter of this book that David and his men marched and conquered the place of the Holy Cities in Jerusalem.
Jesus has two natures, human and divine. His human family is traced from the lineage of King David. Jesus is also the bone and flesh, not only of Israelites, but of all humanity. By His coming, He triumphed against evil that besets humanity. Jesus, as the Son of God, has given the authority that we need to bring the absolute common good of our Leader and Shepherd to our fallen humanity, to restore what has been lost and to bring us back to God.
The second reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Colossians tells us that we must be grateful to the Father who led us out from darkness through the power of His Son, “in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Jesus, the Beloved Son, has the power, the honor and the glory, and sits on the throne as our King. Moreover, St.Paul asserts that all creation emerges through the authority of God’s spoken Word: “All things were made through Him and for Him,” and through that same Word the fullness of life dwells and all things were reconciled.
The gospel for today narrates the drama that happened on top of the hill of Golgotha. It was at the final moments of Jesus, who was hanging on the cross, that he was being ridiculed and humiliated by the Roman soldiers and one of the criminals.
There are three things that we must reflect on this gospel as we approach the mystery of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe.
First, Jesus on the cross with the title given to Him, “INRI” ( Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum) is the invitation from God to us that we must accept that Jesus is not only the King of the Jews, but the King of all humanity. Jesus, hanging on the cross, is His gesture of love and acceptance of all our sins for healing and redemption.
Second, the two criminals crucified at both sides of Jesus represent human response to the Kingship of Jesus. Some of us would say, as did one of the two criminals, “Save Yourself, and save us.” If Jesus is the King, then He must save Himself first. This is a “wait and see” attitude, being passive and thinking only of personal benefits and not showing true conviction and faith. However, the other criminal makes a prayer of faith, “Remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:42-43) Jesus immediately offered the unmerited gift of eternal life from His Throne of Fidelity, that is Jesus’ cross.
Third, knowing Jesus our King, we must be filled with gratitude knowing how much He suffered to redeem us by His life and blood. It also gives us courage and hope that amidst our difficulties in the world, being threatened by “secular society” and continuous transgressions against God by many of us, Jesus remains to reign, who emptied Himself becoming a Servant-King even now, with His perfect mercy and love for our eternal salvation.
Today, as we offer this Eucharist in celebration of Christ the King, we too are exultating the Holy Name of Jesus, our King, as we prepare for our Thanksgiving Day. This mass is itself, thanksgiving. May we reflect on the bounty of gifts, generosity, and goodness of God to provide and to support us with all His abundant blessings of peace and good health, for which we are grateful. It only takes a little time to offer our Thanksgiving Prayer with our family and loved ones.
God bless you.
Fr. Arlon, osa
