To be Catholic is to be a person of hope and of vision, a person who sees meaning in life in this world and promise beyond.” [Fr. Michael Hayes] You may or may not be aware that today is the last Sunday in our Liturgical Year [Cycle C] readings from St. Luke’s Gospel.
Today we proclaim Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. Take some time to reflect on the ultimate question about what place Christ has in your life. Have you ever thought about letting yourself be governed by the King of the Jews, the King of Kings?
Do you and I truly recognize Jesus as King? Is Jesus first & foremost in your heart and your action. Think about Christ our King on His Cross because He loves us. Jesus on the Cross leads us to His to our Salvation, the cross is His throne. Let’s look at the Scripture readings from the viewpoint of the two criminals, the two men hanging next to Jesus.
One criminal did not take responsibility for his actions. The other looked at the face of Jesus - saw God and prayed, “Remember me”, he encounters in the dying Jesus the way for his redemption. One criminal said I’m sorry, forgive me; the other said I don’t fear God, save yourself and us!
Fr. Marty offered this [Collect] prayer as we began Mass: “Almighty ever-living God, whose will is to restore all things in your beloved Son, the King of the universe, grant we pray that the whole creation … may render your majesty service and ceaselessly proclaim your praise.”
You and I are called by our Baptism, strengthened by our Confirmation, renewed by
Reconciliation, and nourished by the Eucharist to
prepare the Kingdom of God. I
want to share two stories of Christians who lived their commitment to Christ as
they helped prepare the Kingdom of God.
During WW II the Nazis ordered all Danish Jews to wear armbands with the Star of David – King Christian of Denmark wore one. Almost all Danes followed his example, which helped save thousands of Jews. [William Bausch, Once Upon a Gospel, p. 316] Second a young and loyal private in the German Army in WW II was sent on a patrol with other German soldiers in Yugoslavia shortly after the Germans invaded. They marched over a hill where eight Yugoslavians [5 men and 3 women] were standing.
The German soldiers lined up, their sergeant ordered, “Ready”, they lifted their rifles and then Private Schultz dropped his rifle and joined the eight Yugoslavians. He joined hands with them, & then the German soldiers fired & all nine were shot. [William Bausch, The Word in and out of Season, p.120]
Both people acted of love and loyalty to the only King who really matters – the King of Kings – Jesus Christ! Jesus is the King who serves, suffers, dies for others and is ridiculed & mocked to teach us how to love. In Christ the King there is no envy, no greed, no desire or power. He desires that we live the Gospel Message so we can be the best that we can be and join Him in His eternal Kingdom.
Jesus’ rule began in a stable, was proclaimed to the world on a Cross and continues in the Resurrected Christ who broke the bonds of sin and death.
For a few minutes think about how you are living your commitment to follow Christ our King?
May God Be Praised.
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