Is Christ Our King?

 

 Luke 23: 35-43

God's Messiah, the Chosen One

³⁵ The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”

³⁶ The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar ³⁷ and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”

³⁸ There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews.

³⁹ One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

⁴⁰ But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? ⁴¹ We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

⁴² Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

⁴³ Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, the official name of this last Sunday in Ordinary Time and the Sunday before Advent begins next week. (Can Christmas be far behind?)   Today's Gospel does not paint a picture of royalty, of kingly crowns and garments, or luxurious palaces, but a "criminal" hanging on a cross, a man bloody from whip lashes, and wearing a crown of thorns.  It's the Good Friday Jesus, the Messiah who came to save us as he did the "Good Thief", and open the gates of Paradise. His death, followed by his resurrection set the pattern for us:  die to self, die to sin, unite with Jesus through our baptism and living as he taught, yes, even commanded, loving God above all and our neighbor as ourselves.  Is Jesus the center, the king of our lives?  We all might give a weak "most of the time" answer, but today let us proclaim our faith as did this "Good Thief" and live it better than we have in the past. May Jesus truly be the King of our lives as he is King of the Universe.

Bro. Rene

Jesus our Savior and King, you reign from no lavish throne or exclusive palace, but rather showcase your power in humble submission upon the wood of a cross. Yours alone is the glory for all ages, and yours is the name we exalt above every other name. Enfold us into your gentle rule where charity and compassion greet us on the way to your eternal kingdom. Have mercy, we pray. Amen.

  Rev. Geoffrey Mooney, C.S.C.