Sunday 24th
November 2019. Bible Study: 2nd Samuel 5:1-3, Psalm 122, Colossians 1:12-20 and
Luke 23:35-43.
“Jesus,
remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say
to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:42-43)
Since the beginning
of this liturgical year, we have been celebrating specific aspects of the life
of Christ. In Advent, we prepared for the birth of Christ. In Christmas, we celebrated
the incarnation of Christ amongst mankind. In Lent, we prepared recall Christ’s
saving action on the Cross of Calvary. At Easter, we celebrated the resurrection
of Christ. During the period of Ordinary Time, we dwelt deeply on the teachings
of Christ in the Gospels picking one them after another.
Having
come to the end of this liturgical year, today’s Solemnity is the concluding
statement of all our celebrations thus far: This Jesus that took flesh in the
womb of Mary, lived amongst us, preached and worked several miracles, carried
the cross, died and rose again on the third day, ascended to the Father and sent
the Holy Spirit amongst us is the KING OF THE WHOLE UNIVERSE.
In this
part of the world, our celebration of the Christ the King is usually accompanied
by processions around our streets with a whole lot of singing, marching, dancing,
clapping and public veneration of Christ the King in the Blessed Sacrament. This
aspect is beautifully illustrated by our Psalmist today: “Let us go rejoicing
to the house of the Lord.” Today, we re-live the joyful welcoming of Jesus into
the City of Jerusalem. As we proceed with today’s liturgy, there are some vital
points to guide our reflections.
*1. Christ
is King. Yes, but is Christ Your King?*
The rulers
scoffed at Jesus, the soldiers mocked him, the crowds jeered at him, the same
people who sang “Hosanna to the Son of David” shouted: “Crucify Him, Crucify
Him.” With face disfigured and blood dripping across his wounded body, Christ
dragged his cross across the streets of Jerusalem to the point of crucifixion. The
inscription on the cross was just a mockery. “How can this man be a king? … A
king without an army? … He saved others, yet, he can’t save himself.”
The
shocking reality is that even today, Christ is still being mocked, scoffed at
and insulted painfully, by those of us who claim to be Christians. Today, we
move around our streets shamelessly singing and dancing, rubbing ourselves on
the ground in exultation of Christ but what happens when we return home? Do we allow
Christ to reign in our living rooms, in our business places, in our sense of
fashion, in our daily interactions with others? When we do not get answers to
our prayers, when the miracles we expect do not come, when life is tough, when we
face persecution, do we still honour Christ as our King?
*2. Christ
is King. For Him, Nothing is Impossible.*
While others
were mocking Jesus, there were some who were not moved by the seeming “defeat”
of Christ on the Cross. In fact, there was one man who had eyes to see that
Christ is truly the King of the Universe, the second thief. Not only did he
rebuke the other thief for mocking Jesus, but he also showed sincere contrition
for his life of sin and turned to Jesus to plead: “Remember me when you come
into your kingly power.” Jesus was so impressed by this man’s faith that He offered
him an instant ticket to paradise. Jesus forgave his sins at once and answered
His prayer. The thief wasn’t asking to come down from the cross as others, he
was asking for something more precious; eternal life because he knew that his
death was not the end. How is your prayer life? Do you ask with faith?
*3. Christ
is King: Therefore, we are Princes and Princesses.*
In today’s
second reading, St. Paul explains the implications of the Kingship of Christ. By
our union we with Christ the King, we are not ordinary persons, we are royalty;
we have been delivered from the dominion of darkness, we walk in light, we
receive forgiveness of our sins, we are members of the body where Christ is the
Head. As Jesus would say: “Whoever does the will of God is my brother, and
sister, and mother.” (Mark 3:35). Anyone from a royal family knows that there
are certain rules which guides their behaviour. In Christ’s kingdom, there is only
one rule: LOVE. As we see, Christ on the Cross does not hate even those who
were killing him; He loved everyone to the end. He forgave them and prayed for them.
we disgrace Christ when we don’t live by this principle of Love.
*4. Christ
is King: His Kingdom is Forever.*
Earthly
Kingdoms come and go but Christ is so powerful: His Kingdom remains forever.
Check out the history of the world and tell me if there is any kingdom that
considered itself a world-power which did not eventually fall? Our first
reading today brings our mind to that of David. As great and glorious David
was, his kingdom was only a foretaste (or preparation) of God’s kingdom that
was to come in the person of Christ. All earthly power is fleeting, contingent
and constantly under threat but the Kingdom of Christ is forever.
*In
conclusion*, as we go out today to show the world our faith, many who do not
understand would think we are idol worshippers. They would mock us, insult us
and even try to obstruct us. Don’t be distracted. Focus only on Jesus. On the
other hand, many would stand and stare, some would want to know what is
happening. This is an opportunity for us to spread the faith. Whatever the
case, know that what becomes of your life after today would testify for or
against you by this procession.
Let us pray:
Lord Jesus, King of the Universe, set me free from slavery to sin that I may
render your Majesty service and ceaselessly proclaim your praise. Amen.
Happy
Sunday. Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless
you. (Solemnity of Christ the King. Year C. Bible Study: 2nd Samuel 5:1-3, Psalm
122, Colossians 1:12-20 and Luke 23:35-43).
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