As appearing in this Sunday’s Bulletin at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church West Trenton, NJ Reflections on the Sunday Readings November 42, 2013 – Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe 2 Samuel 5: 1-3 Psalm 122: 1-5 Colossians 1: 12-20 Luke 23: 35-43 Once again, we have come to the end of another liturgical year. Later this week, we will celebrate Thanksgiving, and next week begins the Season of Advent. The green liturgical vestments worn by the priest and deacon at Mass will be replaced by purple: the symbol of repentance and preparation. Each Sunday, an additional candle on the Advent will be lit as a reminder of the approaching Christmas celebration. We will begin the cycle of worship anew and reflect upon Christ entry into humanity. Today, we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King, and focus on Our Lord’s Kingship and Divinity. The readings point to the Lord in the Kingdom of Heaven, reigning as the Son. The Gospel reading, we hear of Christ crucified. As he hung upon the cross in expiation for our sins, he was mocked and ridiculed by most of those who watched the bloody spectacle. Rulers and soldiers called out to him, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself.” Above his sacred head, crowned with thorns, an inscription read, “This is the King of the Jews.” And almost all present considered these words absurd. Only one man, the one known as the good thief, recognized Jesus for what he truly was. And in utter humility he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Despite his excruciating pain on the cross, Jesus turned to him and replied, “Amen I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” Even in his suffering and death, Jesus displayed his kingly power. He is the king, the source and summit of our existence – a king who gave his very life for the love of his people. In his resurrection, he conquered both sin and death, and by his ascension into heaven, sits at the right hand of the Father and reigns until the end of time. To protect and nurture us, he sent the advocate, the Holy Spirit to watch over and strengthen us. He established his Church to guide us until he comes again in glory. Some two thousand years later, the Church and its holy men and women have gone through many struggles, trials, sufferings and challenges. There have been times when its leaders and members have not always lived out the Gospel message, especially when they wrongly presumed that they, not Christ, were the center of the universe. Yet, the Church endures because of the Holy Spirit, which fills us with the grace to turn away from sin and refocus our eyes on Christ. As Saint Paul wrote in his beautiful hymn from the Letter to the Colossians, “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church.” (Colossians 1: 17-18a) When we compartmentalize our discipleship into one hour each week, we live a divided life. Only by living daily, what we proclaim each Sunday, will we experience the healing power of Christ in his divine glory, manifested in the Church. As we gather together on the last Sunday of this liturgical year, and look forward to the celebration of Thanksgiving this Thursday, let us be filled with joy and gratitude, remembering that Jesus is King, not an indifferent king who cared not for his subjects, but rather a King who loves us as his brothers and sisters. As we partake of his Precious Body and Blood, let us be united to him in body, mind and spirit, nourished by the Word and Eucharist to be his faithful disciples each day, until we are joined with him in Paradise. Deacon Steve Szmutko
Posted on: Sat, 23 Nov 2013 23:39:19 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015