Community Word: Jesus Christ, our Sovereign King, is our hope for eternal life.
Theme: We have hope for eternal life when we honor and exalt Jesus as our Sovereign King.
Promise: “…you will be with me in Paradise.” (Lk 23:43)
Reflection:
The liturgical year of the Church ends in the celebration of the Solemnity of our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, which reminds us again that Christ has dominion over everything and everyone. On this occasion, we are taught and reminded that Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world, but is an everlasting kingdom.
On this Sunday’s gospel, Jesus is manifested to us as a ruler different from our own concept of a king. He is depicted that His throne is the cross, His crown is made of thorns and He is in the company of two known criminals. Yes, Jesus is King but is far different from earthly kings, political leaders, and financial kingpins that the world knows. Instead of wealth, power and prestige, Jesus proclaims a kingdom of truth and life, of holiness and grace, of justice, love and peace. He does not rule through power, force and might. He rules through virtuous qualities of forgiveness, mercy, compassion, and truth.
While nailed to the cross, Jesus reveals Himself as a king who distributes His gifts most generously – the gift of forgiveness to those who crucified Him, the gift of heaven to a repentant thief, the gift of His mother’s love to the whole of mankind. He was always aware that He was sent by the Father to be Lord and King, for all His words and actions were with authority: “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me,” (Mt 28:18). He had authority to forgive sins (cf. Mt 9:6), over unclean spirits (cf. Lk 4:36), over death (cf. Jn 11:38-44, Mt 9:18-25, Lk 7:11-16).
Jesus’ preaching which started with the beatitudes, concludes now by reminding us of what really matters on earth. At the time of judgment, His criterion for judgment would be aligned along the path of His public ministry – a kingdom of service, not of power, to serve and not to be served. To gain eternal life, disciples are expected to follow the path of the Master in serving all people, especially the poor and the neediest. Jesus did nothing but good and He sacrificed himself to save us from our sins. We should be grateful for this and in return, be faithful servants of the Lord by being good role models and inspirations to others.
Can there be any greater proof that the Lord constantly listens to our voice until literally the last seconds of our life; that He always listens to our prayers and pleas? The good thief was blessed for his extraordinary prayer, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom,” (Lk 23:42). This thief saw things as they were – he realized his own sinfulness; then he saw who Jesus really is, and he asked for mercy. Then his request was immediately answered.
Those who truly repent, even if it is in the final moments of life, will be forgiven by God and taken to heaven to be with God. God always listens and is ready to forgive; but remember, not all may be given one last chance to repent. St Augustine warned, “Do not despair; one of the thieves was saved. Do not be complacent; one of the thieves was damned.”
God and His Truth will triumph over all, over everything, good or bad, that happens in this world. Those who occupy a position of leadership among God’s people are especially challenged by Jesus’ example. Greatness in God’s kingdom is not a matter of having influence, prestige or power. It is serving others and helping them enter the kingdom. It is striving to follow Jesus and be like Him in all His perfect ways. Then we may hope to hear Jesus’ reassuring words: “… you will be with me in Paradise,” (Luke 22:43).
Prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ, we ask You to be the King and Master of our heart, mind, body and soul. May we always seek to do Your will and to serve Your kingdom above all else. Awaken in us a caring spirit, sensitive to the needs and cries of the needy in our midst. Walk with us as we resist the powers of greed and direct our paths to the way of peace and justice. May You always be the King of our heart and the Lord of our life. Amen.
Reflection Guide Questions:
- To what extent do I understand the unfathomable mercy of Jesus, our Sovereign King? In what way have I experienced such mercy?
- What can I do to be like Jesus… in love, in forgiveness, in generosity, in works of peace and justice?
This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:
November 20, 2022 (Sun) – 2Sm 5:1-3/ Ps 122:1-2, 3-4, 4-5/ Col 1:12-20/ Lk 23:35-43
November 21, 2022 (Mon) – Rv 14:15/ Ps 24:1-6/ Lk 21:1-4
November 22, 2022 (Tue) – Rv 14:14-19/ Ps 96:10-13/ Lk 21:5-11
November 23, 2022 (Wed) – Rv 15:1-4/ Ps 98:1-3, 7-9/ Lk 21:12-19
November 24, 2022 (Thurs) – Rv18:1, 2, 21-23; 19:1-3, 9/ Ps 100:1-5/ Lk 21:20-28
November 25, 2022 (Fri) – Rv 20:1-4, 11-21:2/ Ps 84:3-6, 8/ Lk 21:29-33
November 26, 2022 (Sat) – Rv 22:1-7/ Ps 95:1-7/ Lk 21:34-36
“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ. Read your Bible daily!”
