The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King
of the Universe
Lectionary: 162
Lectionary: 162
In those days, all the tribes of Israel came to David in Hebron and said:
“Here we are, your bone and your flesh.
In days past, when Saul was our king,
it was you who led the Israelites out and brought them back.
And the LORD said to you,
‘You shall shepherd my people Israel
and shall be commander of Israel.’”
When all the elders of Israel came to David in Hebron,
King David made an agreement with them there before the LORD,
and they anointed him king of Israel.
“Here we are, your bone and your flesh.
In days past, when Saul was our king,
it was you who led the Israelites out and brought them back.
And the LORD said to you,
‘You shall shepherd my people Israel
and shall be commander of Israel.’”
When all the elders of Israel came to David in Hebron,
King David made an agreement with them there before the LORD,
and they anointed him king of Israel.
Responsorial
Psalm PS 122:1-2, 3-4, 4-5
R. (cf. 1) Let us
go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
I rejoiced because they said to me,
"We will go up to the house of the LORD."
And now we have set foot
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Jerusalem, built as a city
with compact unity.
To it the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
According to the decree for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
In it are set up judgment seats,
seats for the house of David.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
I rejoiced because they said to me,
"We will go up to the house of the LORD."
And now we have set foot
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Jerusalem, built as a city
with compact unity.
To it the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
According to the decree for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
In it are set up judgment seats,
seats for the house of David.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Reading 2COL 1:12-20
Brothers and sisters:
Let us give thanks to the Father,
who has made you fit to share
in the inheritance of the holy ones in light.
He delivered us from the power of darkness
and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,
in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
He is the image of the invisible God,
the firstborn of all creation.
For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth,
the visible and the invisible,
whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers;
all things were created through him and for him.
He is before all things,
and in him all things hold together.
He is the head of the body, the church.
He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead,
that in all things he himself might be preeminent.
For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell,
and through him to reconcile all things for him,
making peace by the blood of his cross
through him, whether those on earth or those in heaven.
Let us give thanks to the Father,
who has made you fit to share
in the inheritance of the holy ones in light.
He delivered us from the power of darkness
and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,
in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
He is the image of the invisible God,
the firstborn of all creation.
For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth,
the visible and the invisible,
whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers;
all things were created through him and for him.
He is before all things,
and in him all things hold together.
He is the head of the body, the church.
He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead,
that in all things he himself might be preeminent.
For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell,
and through him to reconcile all things for him,
making peace by the blood of his cross
through him, whether those on earth or those in heaven.
AlleluiaMK 11:9, 10
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is to come!
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is to come!
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelLK 23:35-43
The rulers sneered at Jesus and said,
“He saved others, let him save himself
if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God.”
Even the soldiers jeered at him.
As they approached to offer him wine they called out,
“If you are King of the Jews, save yourself.”
Above him there was an inscription that read,
“This is the King of the Jews.”
Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying,
“Are you not the Christ?
Save yourself and us.”
The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply,
“Have you no fear of God,
for you are subject to the same condemnation?
And indeed, we have been condemned justly,
for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes,
but this man has done nothing criminal.”
Then he said,
“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
He replied to him,
“Amen, I say to you,
today you will be with me in Paradise.”
“He saved others, let him save himself
if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God.”
Even the soldiers jeered at him.
As they approached to offer him wine they called out,
“If you are King of the Jews, save yourself.”
Above him there was an inscription that read,
“This is the King of the Jews.”
Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying,
“Are you not the Christ?
Save yourself and us.”
The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply,
“Have you no fear of God,
for you are subject to the same condemnation?
And indeed, we have been condemned justly,
for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes,
but this man has done nothing criminal.”
Then he said,
“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
He replied to him,
“Amen, I say to you,
today you will be with me in Paradise.”
21st
Sunday in Ordinary Time – Cycle C
Note: Where a Scripture text is underlined in the body of this discussion, it is recommended that the reader look up and read that passage.
1st Reading - Isaiah 66:18-21
Last week our Old Testament reading was from the Book of Jeremiah. This week we back up some 90 years in history to the year 694 B.C. and hear from the greatest of the prophets, Isaiah. Little is known about Isaiah as all our information comes from his discourses. According to Jewish tradition, he was of royal stock and it is certain that he belonged to the tribe of Judah and lived in Jerusalem. He was married and had two sons. He did not claim to be a prophet in the current sense of the word, but, like many other prophets, he gathered around him a circle of friends and disciples who shared his views and were initiated into his plans. Today we hear from the last chapter of the Book of Isaiah as he tells of a time when foreigners will be at home in God’s house.
18 I come to gather nations of every language; they shall come and see my glory.
This phrase is reminiscent of Isaiah 40:5. It could also refer to an object of pilgrimage in the temple.
19 I will set a sign among them;
The sign centers on the survival of Jerusalem, to become the object of the new exodus for the Jews of the dispersion and even for Gentiles.
from them I will send fugitives to the nations: to Tarshish,
In southern Spain
Put and Lud,
In Africa
Mosoch,
Location unknown
Tubal
Near the Black Sea
and Javan,
Greek settlers in the Ionian Islands
to the distant coastlands that have never heard of my fame, or seen my glory; and they shall proclaim my glory among the nations. 20 They shall bring all your brethren from all the nations as an offering to the LORD,
A sort of triumphal procession from all directions.
on horses and in chariots, in carts, upon mules and dromedaries, to Jerusalem, my holy mountain, says the LORD, just as the Israelites bring their offering to the house of the LORD in clean vessels. 21 Some of these I will take as priests and Levites, says the LORD.
It is not clear who the “some” are, but Gentiles are included in the previous verse. This is seen by many as a prophecy that someday the priesthood will not be solely Levitical but will also include Gentiles.
2nd Reading - Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13
Having heard two weeks ago about the faith of Abraham, a faith of hope and trust – an example of the theological faith that we all should have, last week we began to hear how we are to live out that faith. Our second reading last week ended “In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.” Today we continue this lesson.
5 You have [ ] forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as sons:
The quotation is quoted from Proverbs 3:11-12.
“My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord
Positive and negative reinforcement
or lose heart when reproved by him; 6 for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines; he scourges
Whips
every son he acknowledges.” 7 Endure your trials as “discipline”; God treats you as sons. For what “son” is there whom his father does not discipline? 11 At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it. 12 So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees. 13 Make straight paths for your feet, that what is lame may not be dislocated but healed.
As you will recall, last week the imagery was that of a race, the imagery now changes from a race course to the familiar one of the road on which the people of God must journey.
Gospel - Luke 13:22-30
Jesus is on His way to Jerusalem and His passion. Along the way He taught with parables, performed miracles and preached repentance. This preaching and teaching, accompanied by miracles, caught the attention of those He came in contact with: the Pharisees became indignant because He healed people on the Sabbath, but others heard the clear message of repentance and wished to know that they must do to be saved.
22 He [Jesus] passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem. 23 Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few people be saved?”
Being “saved” is not a Protestant idea; they took it from the Catholics. Being saved in Catholic theology is the end result – seeing God face-to-face in heaven. It begins with faith and is the result of how that faith is lived out. One cannot “earn” their way into heaven, that is the Pelagian heresy condemned by the Council of Carthage in A.D. 418, but one is required to allow God to work in their life and that work is reflected in their actions.
He answered them, 24 “Strive to enter
This denotes strenuous exercise of muscle and power.
through the narrow gate,
The implied contrast is between large city gates through which throngs can pass at one time, and one where everything is in single file.
for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.
Jesus is not declaring that many are doomed from the very start, despite their persistent effort to be saved (which would be predestination in the Presbyterian sense).
25 After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and saying, ‘Lord, open the door for us.’ He will say to you in reply, ‘I do not know where you are from.’
Many will seek entry too late, after the Kingdom has come; each one can and must strive now. Jesus must first recognize and love, and thus impart justifying faith. (See Isaiah 63:16; Matthew 25:12).
26 And you will say, ‘We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.’
Casual eating and drinking with Jesus is not enough; one must share in his life, as symbolized by His table fellowship with the lowly. One cannot simply boast that they are acquainted with Him and His message.
27 Then he will say to you, ‘I do not know where (you) are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!’ 28 And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves cast out. 29 And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the kingdom of God.
The Kingdom of God is now imaged by the eschatological banquet [the wedding feast of the Lamb (Revelation 21)]. Those who do not want to commit themselves to Jesus’ way find themselves on the outside. In graciousness God opens the banquet to all peoples. These now form the reconstituted Israel in the New Jerusalem.
30 For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”
Luke sounds his familiar theme of reversal – those who truly serve others by living out God’s message and their faith, will be served at the heavenly banquet
Notice that our gospel reading for today does not assure salvation for all those who believe; and who receives it is not known until they appear at the door to the banquet. This is why, when asked “Have you been saved?” we can answer: “I have been saved from the penalty of sin by Christ’s death and resurrection. I am being saved from the power of sin by the indwelling Spirit. I have the hope that I shall one day be saved from the very presence of sin when I go to be with God.” It is through the grace of Christ that I am able to live out His life in me; a grace that is fortified every time I participate in the Eucharist.
Note: Where a Scripture text is underlined in the body of this discussion, it is recommended that the reader look up and read that passage.
1st Reading - Isaiah 66:18-21
Last week our Old Testament reading was from the Book of Jeremiah. This week we back up some 90 years in history to the year 694 B.C. and hear from the greatest of the prophets, Isaiah. Little is known about Isaiah as all our information comes from his discourses. According to Jewish tradition, he was of royal stock and it is certain that he belonged to the tribe of Judah and lived in Jerusalem. He was married and had two sons. He did not claim to be a prophet in the current sense of the word, but, like many other prophets, he gathered around him a circle of friends and disciples who shared his views and were initiated into his plans. Today we hear from the last chapter of the Book of Isaiah as he tells of a time when foreigners will be at home in God’s house.
18 I come to gather nations of every language; they shall come and see my glory.
This phrase is reminiscent of Isaiah 40:5. It could also refer to an object of pilgrimage in the temple.
19 I will set a sign among them;
The sign centers on the survival of Jerusalem, to become the object of the new exodus for the Jews of the dispersion and even for Gentiles.
from them I will send fugitives to the nations: to Tarshish,
In southern Spain
Put and Lud,
In Africa
Mosoch,
Location unknown
Tubal
Near the Black Sea
and Javan,
Greek settlers in the Ionian Islands
to the distant coastlands that have never heard of my fame, or seen my glory; and they shall proclaim my glory among the nations. 20 They shall bring all your brethren from all the nations as an offering to the LORD,
A sort of triumphal procession from all directions.
on horses and in chariots, in carts, upon mules and dromedaries, to Jerusalem, my holy mountain, says the LORD, just as the Israelites bring their offering to the house of the LORD in clean vessels. 21 Some of these I will take as priests and Levites, says the LORD.
It is not clear who the “some” are, but Gentiles are included in the previous verse. This is seen by many as a prophecy that someday the priesthood will not be solely Levitical but will also include Gentiles.
2nd Reading - Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13
Having heard two weeks ago about the faith of Abraham, a faith of hope and trust – an example of the theological faith that we all should have, last week we began to hear how we are to live out that faith. Our second reading last week ended “In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.” Today we continue this lesson.
5 You have [ ] forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as sons:
The quotation is quoted from Proverbs 3:11-12.
“My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord
Positive and negative reinforcement
or lose heart when reproved by him; 6 for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines; he scourges
Whips
every son he acknowledges.” 7 Endure your trials as “discipline”; God treats you as sons. For what “son” is there whom his father does not discipline? 11 At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it. 12 So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees. 13 Make straight paths for your feet, that what is lame may not be dislocated but healed.
As you will recall, last week the imagery was that of a race, the imagery now changes from a race course to the familiar one of the road on which the people of God must journey.
Gospel - Luke 13:22-30
Jesus is on His way to Jerusalem and His passion. Along the way He taught with parables, performed miracles and preached repentance. This preaching and teaching, accompanied by miracles, caught the attention of those He came in contact with: the Pharisees became indignant because He healed people on the Sabbath, but others heard the clear message of repentance and wished to know that they must do to be saved.
22 He [Jesus] passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem. 23 Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few people be saved?”
Being “saved” is not a Protestant idea; they took it from the Catholics. Being saved in Catholic theology is the end result – seeing God face-to-face in heaven. It begins with faith and is the result of how that faith is lived out. One cannot “earn” their way into heaven, that is the Pelagian heresy condemned by the Council of Carthage in A.D. 418, but one is required to allow God to work in their life and that work is reflected in their actions.
He answered them, 24 “Strive to enter
This denotes strenuous exercise of muscle and power.
through the narrow gate,
The implied contrast is between large city gates through which throngs can pass at one time, and one where everything is in single file.
for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.
Jesus is not declaring that many are doomed from the very start, despite their persistent effort to be saved (which would be predestination in the Presbyterian sense).
25 After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and saying, ‘Lord, open the door for us.’ He will say to you in reply, ‘I do not know where you are from.’
Many will seek entry too late, after the Kingdom has come; each one can and must strive now. Jesus must first recognize and love, and thus impart justifying faith. (See Isaiah 63:16; Matthew 25:12).
26 And you will say, ‘We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.’
Casual eating and drinking with Jesus is not enough; one must share in his life, as symbolized by His table fellowship with the lowly. One cannot simply boast that they are acquainted with Him and His message.
27 Then he will say to you, ‘I do not know where (you) are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!’ 28 And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves cast out. 29 And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the kingdom of God.
The Kingdom of God is now imaged by the eschatological banquet [the wedding feast of the Lamb (Revelation 21)]. Those who do not want to commit themselves to Jesus’ way find themselves on the outside. In graciousness God opens the banquet to all peoples. These now form the reconstituted Israel in the New Jerusalem.
30 For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”
Luke sounds his familiar theme of reversal – those who truly serve others by living out God’s message and their faith, will be served at the heavenly banquet
Notice that our gospel reading for today does not assure salvation for all those who believe; and who receives it is not known until they appear at the door to the banquet. This is why, when asked “Have you been saved?” we can answer: “I have been saved from the penalty of sin by Christ’s death and resurrection. I am being saved from the power of sin by the indwelling Spirit. I have the hope that I shall one day be saved from the very presence of sin when I go to be with God.” It is through the grace of Christ that I am able to live out His life in me; a grace that is fortified every time I participate in the Eucharist.
Meditation: "Jesus,
remember me when you come into your kingdom"
Do you
recognize that the Lord Jesus has been given all authority and power by his
Father in heaven to reign over all creation - including the heavens and the
earth? Jesus was crucified for his claim to be the Anointed King sent by the
Father in heaven (John 18:37 and Luke 23:38) to establish his kingdom not only
for his people Israel, but for all nations and peoples as well (Daniel 7:13-14;
Matthew 24:30 and Matthew 26:63-64).
God
is King and Ruler over all
What is the significance and meaning of Jesus' kingship for us? Kingship today seems outdated and useless, especially in democratic societies where everyone is supposed to be treated equal and free. Many rulers in past ages claimed they had sovereign authority to rule by divine edict. But God did not give his people Israel a king at first. Why? Because God alone was their King and they needed no other. Nonetheless, God relented and chose David as King over Israel with the promise that God would raise up through David's royal line a Savior who would establish an everlasting kingdom of righteousness and peace that would endure for all ages (Psalm 89:29).
What is the significance and meaning of Jesus' kingship for us? Kingship today seems outdated and useless, especially in democratic societies where everyone is supposed to be treated equal and free. Many rulers in past ages claimed they had sovereign authority to rule by divine edict. But God did not give his people Israel a king at first. Why? Because God alone was their King and they needed no other. Nonetheless, God relented and chose David as King over Israel with the promise that God would raise up through David's royal line a Savior who would establish an everlasting kingdom of righteousness and peace that would endure for all ages (Psalm 89:29).
The
Jews understood that the Messiah ("Anointed One") would come as God's
anointed King to restore paradise and establish God's reign of peace for them.
They wanted a Messianic King who would free them from strife and division and
from foreign oppression. Many had high hopes that Jesus would be the Messiah
and Ruler for Israel. Little did they understand what kind of kingship Jesus
claimed to possess.
Jesus'
claim to kingship
Jesus came to deliver his people, and the whole world, from the worst kind of tyranny possible - from bondage to sin, guilt and condemnation, and from the wages of sin which is death (Romans 6:23) and separation from an all-merciful and just Father who gave us his son to set us free and to adopt us as his beloved sons and daughters. Jesus came to conquer hearts and souls for an imperishable kingdom - a kingdom ruled not by force or fear - but by the power of God's righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17).
Jesus came to deliver his people, and the whole world, from the worst kind of tyranny possible - from bondage to sin, guilt and condemnation, and from the wages of sin which is death (Romans 6:23) and separation from an all-merciful and just Father who gave us his son to set us free and to adopt us as his beloved sons and daughters. Jesus came to conquer hearts and souls for an imperishable kingdom - a kingdom ruled not by force or fear - but by the power of God's righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17).
When
Satan tempted Jesus during his forty day fast in the wilderness, he offered
Jesus all the kingdoms of the world (Matthew 4:8-9). Jesus knew that the world
was in Satan's power. And this was precisely why Jesus came - to overthrow
Satan's power and deception over the earth. Jesus knew that the way to victory
was through submission to his Father's will and plan to lay down his life for
us and reverse the curse of sin and death for us. The Father sent his only begotten
Son into the world, not to condemn it, but to save it through the atoning
sacrifice which Jesus would make for us through the shedding of his blood on
the cross of Calvary.
Jesus
came to restore Paradise for us - everlasting life with God
As Jesus was crucified on the cross alongside two criminals who were thieves, one mocked him for his claim to divine kingship. But the other thief recognized through the eyes of faith that Jesus was truly God's Anointed King and Savior. He petitioned Jesus to treat his poor soul with mercy and pardon, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom" (Luke 23:42). Jesus not only granted him forgiveness, but a place with him in his everlasting kingdom. "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."
As Jesus was crucified on the cross alongside two criminals who were thieves, one mocked him for his claim to divine kingship. But the other thief recognized through the eyes of faith that Jesus was truly God's Anointed King and Savior. He petitioned Jesus to treat his poor soul with mercy and pardon, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom" (Luke 23:42). Jesus not only granted him forgiveness, but a place with him in his everlasting kingdom. "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."
Jesus
died not only as King of the Jews, but as King of all nations and Lord of the
universe. His victory over the power of sin, Satan, and the world was
accomplished through his atoning death on the cross and his resurrection on the
third day. Jesus exchanged a throne of glory for a cross of shame to restore us
from slavery to sin to glory with God as his adopted sons and daughters. That
is why the Father exalted his Son and raised him in glory over the heavens and
the earth. In the Book of Revelation Jesus is called King of kings and
Lord and lords (Revelation 19:16). He now sits in glory at the right
hand of the Father in heaven - and from his throne he rules as Lord over
all Do you recognize Jesus Christ as your Sovereign King and Redeemer?
Which
ruler and kingdom do you serve?
The Scriptures tell us that there are ultimately only two kingdoms in this world which are opposed to one another - the kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness. Each kingdom is ruled by one lord or master - the Lord Jesus Christ who is the true "Light of the World" - and the false messiah and deceiver who is called the "anti-Christ" and the "angel of light" who rules over men and women through the power of false promises, lies, and temptation to sin and disobedience.
The Scriptures tell us that there are ultimately only two kingdoms in this world which are opposed to one another - the kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness. Each kingdom is ruled by one lord or master - the Lord Jesus Christ who is the true "Light of the World" - and the false messiah and deceiver who is called the "anti-Christ" and the "angel of light" who rules over men and women through the power of false promises, lies, and temptation to sin and disobedience.
If we
follow the Lord Jesus and entrust our lives to him he will open our eyes to the
light of his truth and guide us by his Holy Spirit along the path that leads to
our true homeland with God. If we follow the course which is set by the ruler
of this present world - a world which is opposed to Christ and blinded by Satan
- then we will discover that sin, pride, and deception will lead us down a path
of destruction, death, and separation, rather than life, freedom, and
friendship with God and the people he has redeemed with the precious blood of
his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Which
kingdom will you serve - today, tomorrow, and for all eternity? This present
world will pass away, but God's kingdom will endure forever. If we accept Jesus
Christ as Lord and King and submit to his rule for our lives, we become
citizens of heaven and inherit an everlasting kingdom which is ruled by
righteousness, peace, and love. Is the Lord Jesus the true King and Master of
your life?
"Lord
Jesus Christ, you are my King and there is no other. Be the Lord and Master of
my heart, mind, body, and soul. May I always seek to do your will and to serve
your kingdom above all else."
Daily Quote from the
early church fathers: My kingdom is not of the world, by
Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"Listen, everyone, Jews and Gentiles, circumcised and uncircumcised.
Listen, all kings of the earth. I am no hindrance to your rule in this world,
for 'my kingdom is not of this world.' Banish the groundless fear that filled
Herod the Great on hearing that Christ was born. More cruel in his fear than in
his anger, he put many children to death (Matthew 2:3,16), so that Christ would
also die. But 'my kingdom is not of this world,' says Christ. What further
reassurance do you seek? Come to the kingdom that is not of this world. Do not
be enraged by fear, but come by faith. In a prophecy Christ also said, 'He,'
that is, God the Father, 'has made me king on Zion his holy mountain' (Psalm
2:6). But that Zion and that mountain are not of this world.
"What in fact is Christ's kingdom? It is simply those who believe in him, those to whom he said, 'You are not of this world, even as I am not of this world.' He willed, nevertheless, that they should be in the world, which is why he prayed to the Father, 'I ask you not to take them out of the world but to protect them from the evil one' (John 17:15-16). So here also he did not say, 'My kingdom is not' in this world but 'is not of this world.' And when he went on to prove this by declaring, 'If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have fought to save me from being handed over to the Jews,' he concluded by saying not 'my kingdom is not here' but 'my kingdom is not from here.'
"Indeed, his kingdom is here until the end of time, and until the harvest it will contain weeds. The harvest is the end of the world, when the reapers, who are the angels, will come and gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin (Matthew 13:48-41). And this could not happen if his kingdom were not here. But even so, it is not from here, for it is in exile in the world. Christ says to his kingdom, 'You are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world' (John 15:19). They were indeed of the world when they belonged to the prince of this world, before they became his kingdom. Though created by the true God, everyone born of the corrupt and accursed stock of Adam is of the world. [But] everyone who is reborn in Christ becomes the kingdom that is no longer of the world. For God has snatched us from the powers of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of his beloved Son (Colossians 1:13). This is that kingdom of which he said, 'My kingdom is not of this world; my kingly power does not come from here." (excerpt from TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 115.2)
"What in fact is Christ's kingdom? It is simply those who believe in him, those to whom he said, 'You are not of this world, even as I am not of this world.' He willed, nevertheless, that they should be in the world, which is why he prayed to the Father, 'I ask you not to take them out of the world but to protect them from the evil one' (John 17:15-16). So here also he did not say, 'My kingdom is not' in this world but 'is not of this world.' And when he went on to prove this by declaring, 'If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have fought to save me from being handed over to the Jews,' he concluded by saying not 'my kingdom is not here' but 'my kingdom is not from here.'
"Indeed, his kingdom is here until the end of time, and until the harvest it will contain weeds. The harvest is the end of the world, when the reapers, who are the angels, will come and gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin (Matthew 13:48-41). And this could not happen if his kingdom were not here. But even so, it is not from here, for it is in exile in the world. Christ says to his kingdom, 'You are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world' (John 15:19). They were indeed of the world when they belonged to the prince of this world, before they became his kingdom. Though created by the true God, everyone born of the corrupt and accursed stock of Adam is of the world. [But] everyone who is reborn in Christ becomes the kingdom that is no longer of the world. For God has snatched us from the powers of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of his beloved Son (Colossians 1:13). This is that kingdom of which he said, 'My kingdom is not of this world; my kingly power does not come from here." (excerpt from TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 115.2)
SOLEMNITY OF OUR LORD
JESUS CHRIST THE KING
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, LUKE 23:35-43
(2 Samuel 5:1-3; Psalm 122; Colossians 1:12-20)
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, LUKE 23:35-43
(2 Samuel 5:1-3; Psalm 122; Colossians 1:12-20)
KEY VERSE: "Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise" (v 43).
TO KNOW: After Jesus was arrested, Pontius Pilate questioned him, asking, "Are you the King of the Jews?" [John 18:33]. Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not from this world" (v 36). Then Pilate handed him over to be crucified on a hill outside of the city of Jerusalem named "Calvary" or the "Skull Place" ("Golgotha" in Aramaic). Over Jesus' head was an inscription: "This is the King of the Jews" (Latin: INRI - Iesus Nazorean Rex Iudaeorum). Jesus prayed to his Father to forgive those who acted out of ignorance. The crowds watched passively while the leaders and soldiers mocked him, asking, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, the chosen one" (v 35). Jesus was crucified between two criminals (only Luke reports their words). One of the men reviled Jesus. The second criminal confessed his own guilt and asked to be remembered when Jesus came into his kingdom. Jesus assured the condemned man that he would receive salvation that very day. What seemed to be a defeat in the eyes of the world was a victory in God's sight.
TO LOVE: What does Christ's kingship mean to you in today's world?
TO SERVE: Jesus, remember me when I come into your kingdom.
Sunday 20 November 2016
Sun 20th. Our Lord Jesus Christ, Universal
King.
2 Samuel 5:1-3. Let us go rejoicing to the house of
the Lord—Ps 121(122):1-5. Colossians 1:12-20. Luke 23:35-43.
'Jesus, remember me'
Every year during Holy Week when I was a
kid, we would go down to stations of the cross in my local parish. There would
be a gathering of parishioners, usually the younger ones, and we would march
around the oval. The final three stations were accompanied by the Taizé song
'Jesus, Remember me.' The story of the good thief, as it is sometimes called,
is one of hope. The very simple act of recognition of Jesus by the good thief,
and his obvious remorse, and then Jesus' overwhelming mercy is the most
beautiful message of the Gospels. It shows us that no matter who we are or what
we've done, Jesus loves and forgives us, we simply need to ask.
ST.
BERNWARD
Saint
Bernward served as the thirteenth Bishop of Hildesheim, Germany during the
middle of the tenth century. His grandfather was Athelbero, Count Palatine
of Saxony. After having lost his parents, Bernward was sent to live with his
uncle Volkmar, who was the Bishop of Utrecht. His uncle enlisted the
assistance of Thangmar, the pious and well-educated director of the cathedral
school at Heidelberg, the help with Bernward's education.
Under
the instruction of Thangmar, Bernward made rapid progress in Christian piety as
well as in the sciences. He became very proficient in mathematics, painting,
architecture, and particularly in the manufacture of ecclesiastical vessels and
ornaments made of silver and gold.
Saint Bernward completed his studies at Mainz, where he was then ordained a priest. In leiu of being placed in the diocese of his uncle, Bishop Volkmar, he chose to remain near his grandfather, Athelbero, to comfort him in his old age. Upon his grandfather’s death in 987, he became chaplain in the imperial court, and the Empress-Regent Theophano quickly appointed him to be tutor of her son Otto III, who was only six years old at the time. Bernward remained at the imperial court until 993, when he was elected Bishop of Hildesheim.
A man of extraordinary piety, he was deeply devoted to prayer as well as the practice of mortification, and his knowledge and practice of the arts were employed generously in the service of the Church.
Shortly before his death in 1022, he was vested in the Benedictine habit. He was canonized by Pope Celestine III in 1193.
Saint Bernward completed his studies at Mainz, where he was then ordained a priest. In leiu of being placed in the diocese of his uncle, Bishop Volkmar, he chose to remain near his grandfather, Athelbero, to comfort him in his old age. Upon his grandfather’s death in 987, he became chaplain in the imperial court, and the Empress-Regent Theophano quickly appointed him to be tutor of her son Otto III, who was only six years old at the time. Bernward remained at the imperial court until 993, when he was elected Bishop of Hildesheim.
A man of extraordinary piety, he was deeply devoted to prayer as well as the practice of mortification, and his knowledge and practice of the arts were employed generously in the service of the Church.
Shortly before his death in 1022, he was vested in the Benedictine habit. He was canonized by Pope Celestine III in 1193.
LECTIO DIVINA: CHRIST THE KING (C)
Lectio Divina:
Sunday, November 20, 2016
Jesus the King of the Jews
A King different from the kings of the earth
Luke 23, 35-43
A King different from the kings of the earth
Luke 23, 35-43
Opening prayer
Shaddai, God of the mountain,
You who make of our fragile life
the rock of your dwelling place,
lead our mind
to strike the rock of the desert,
so that water may gush to quench our thirst.
May the poverty of our feelings
cover us as with a mantle in the darkness of the night
and may it open our heart to hear the echo of silence
until the dawn,
wrapping us with the light of the new morning,
may bring us,
with the spent embers of the fire of the shepherds of the Absolute
who have kept vigil for us close to the divine Master,
the flavour of the holy memory.
Shaddai, God of the mountain,
You who make of our fragile life
the rock of your dwelling place,
lead our mind
to strike the rock of the desert,
so that water may gush to quench our thirst.
May the poverty of our feelings
cover us as with a mantle in the darkness of the night
and may it open our heart to hear the echo of silence
until the dawn,
wrapping us with the light of the new morning,
may bring us,
with the spent embers of the fire of the shepherds of the Absolute
who have kept vigil for us close to the divine Master,
the flavour of the holy memory.
1. LECTIO
a) The text:
35 The people stayed there watching. As
for the leaders, they jeered at him with the words, 'He saved others, let him
save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.' 36 The soldiers
mocked him too, coming up to him, offering him vinegar, 37 and saying, 'If you
are the king of the Jews, save yourself.' 38 Above him there was an
inscription: 'This is the King of the Jews'. 39 One of the criminals hanging
there abused him: 'Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us as well.' 40
But the other spoke up and rebuked him. 'Have you no fear of God at all?' he
said. 'You got the same sentence as he did, 41 but in our case we deserved it:
we are paying for what we did. But this man has done nothing wrong.' 42 Then he
said, 'Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.' 43 He answered him,
'In truth I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.'
b) A moment of silence:
Let us allow the voice of the Word to resonate within us.
Let us allow the voice of the Word to resonate within us.
2) MEDITATIO
a) Questions:
- The people stayed there watching. Why
do you never take a stand concerning the events? Everything that you have
lived, listened to, seen… you cannot just throw it away only because an
obstacle seems to make it difficult? Move, do something!
- “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself”. How many attempts and threats with God in prayer. If you are God why do you not intervene? There are so many innocent people who suffer… If you love me, do what I tell you and I will believe you… When will you ever stop dealing with the Lord as if you knew more than He what is good and what is not?
- Jesus, remember me. When will you see in Christ the only TODAY who gives you life?
- “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself”. How many attempts and threats with God in prayer. If you are God why do you not intervene? There are so many innocent people who suffer… If you love me, do what I tell you and I will believe you… When will you ever stop dealing with the Lord as if you knew more than He what is good and what is not?
- Jesus, remember me. When will you see in Christ the only TODAY who gives you life?
b) Key for the reading:
Solemnity of Christ, King of the
Universe. We would expect a passage of the Gospel of those which are more luminous,
and instead we find ourselves before one of the darkest passages… The amazement
of the unexpected is the most suitable sentiment to enter into the heart of
today’s feast, the amazement of the one who knows that he cannot understand the
infinite mystery of the Son of God.
v. 35. The people stayed there watching,
as for the leaders, they jeered at him with the words: “He saved others, let
him save himself if He is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.” Around the
Cross are gathered together all those who have met Jesus during the three years
of His public life. And, here, before a Word nailed on the wood, are revealed
the secrets of the heart. The People who had listened to and followed the Rabbi
of Galilee, who had seen miracles and wonders, are there watching: the
perplexity on the faces, thousands of questions in the heart, the
disillusionment and the perception that everything ends like this!? The leaders
go through all that has happened while they say the truth concerning the Person
of Jesus: the Christ of God, the Chosen One. They ignore God’s logic even if
they are faithful observers of the Hebrew Law. That very despicable
invitation: Let him save himself… indicates the hidden purpose of
their actions: salvation is won by oneself by the observance of the
commandments of God.
vv .36-37. The soldiers mocked him too,
coming up to him, offering him vinegar, and saying: “If you are the King of the
Jews, save yourself”. The soldiers who have nothing to lose in the
religious field, get fierce against him. What do they have in common with that
man? What have they received from him? Nothing. The possibility to exercise,
even if for a short time, the power on someone cannot be allowed to fall! The
power of possession is intertwined of evil and they claim the right of
derision. The other one, defenceless, becomes the object of their enjoyment.
v. 38. Above him was an inscription:
This is the King of the Jews. Truly, a mockery the tablet of their own
guilt: Jesus is guilty for being the King of the Jews. A guilt which in reality
is no guilty. In spite that the leaders had intended, in all ways, to crush the
royalty of Christ, the truth is written by itself: This is the King of the
Jews! This one, not any other! A royalty which goes across the centuries and
asks those going by to stop and fix their thought on the novelty of the Gospel.
Man needs someone to govern him, and this someone can be only a man crucified
out of love, capable to stand on the wood of condemnation so as to be found
alive at the dawn of the eighth day. A King without a sceptre, a King capable
of being considered by all a criminal but without rejecting his love for man.
v. 39. One of the criminals hanging
there abused him: Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us as
well!”. One can be on the cross for diverse reasons as also, for diverse
reasons one can be with Christ. Being near to the cross divides or unites. One
of the two who were near Christ insults, provokes, ridicules or derides. The
objective is always the same: Save yourself and us as well! Salvation is
invoked as a flight from the cross. A sterile salvation, deprived of life,
already dead in itself. Jesus is nailed to the cross, this criminal is hung on
the cross. Jesus has become one same thing with the wood, because the cross is
for him the scroll of the book which unfolds to narrate the wonders of the
divine life which is surrendered, given without any conditions. The other one
is hung as a fruit, rotten by evil and ready to be thrown away.
v. 40. But the other spoke up and
rebuked him: “Have you no fear of God at all? You got the same sentence as he
did. The other one, being close to Jesus, acquires again the holy fear and
makes a discernment. Can the one who lives next to Jesus reproach one who is
there, two steps away from life and does not see it, and continues to waste it
to the end?. Every thing has a limit, and in this case the limit is not fixed
by Christ who is there, but by his companion. Christ does not respond, the
other one responds in his place, recognizing his responsibility and helping the
other one to read the present moment as an opportunity of salvation.
v. 41. “In our case, we deserve it, we
are paying for what we did. But this man has done nothing wrong”. Evil
leads to the cross, the serpent had guided to the forbidden fruit hanging on
the tree. But which cross? The cross of one’s own “reward” or the cross of the
good fruit. Christ is the fruit which every man or woman can get from the tree
of life which is in the middle of the garden of the world, the just one who has
never done any evil except love until ad finem.
v. 42. And then he said: “Jesus,
remember me when you come into your kingdom”. It is a life which is
fulfilled and is enclosed in an invocation incredibly dense in significance. A
man, a sinner, conscious of his own sin and of the just condemnation, accepts
the mystery of the cross. At the feet of that throne of glory he asks to be
remembered in the Kingdom of Christ. He sees an innocent who is crucified and
he recognizes and sees beyond what appears exteriorly, the life of the eternal
Kingdom. What an acknowledgement! The eyes of the one who has known, in one
instant, to get the life which was passing by and which was proclaiming a
message of salvation even if in a shocking way. That culprit, criminal
deserving death, insulted and ridiculed by all those who had had the
possibility of knowing him closely and for a long time, receives his first
subject, the first one he wins over. The Scripture says, damned is the one
hanging on the wood. The damned innocent becomes blessing for the one who
deserved condemnation. A political and earthly tribunal, that of Pilate, a
divine tribunal, that of the cross, where the one condemned is saved in virtue
of the consuming love of the innocent Lamb.
v. 43. He answered him: “In truth I tell
you, today you will be with me in paradise”. Today. The only word which
bursts into the new life of the Gospel. Today. Salvation has been accomplished,
it is no longer necessary to wait for any Messiah to save the people from their
sins. Today. Salvation is here, on the cross. Christ does not enter into his
Kingdom alone, he takes with him the first one who has been saved. The same
humanity, the same judgment, the same luck, the same victory. Jesus is not
jealous of his filial prerogatives, immediately he has pulled away from the
distance separating him from the Father and from the death which could not
escape nor had a way out. Wonderful the kingdom which was inaugurated on
Golgotha.. .. Someone has said that the good thief committed the last robbery
of his life, he robbed salvation… And it is. For those who move with the things
of God! How much truth, instead, in contemplating the gift which Christ gives
to his companion of the cross. No robbery, no theft! All is a gift: the
presence of God is not bargained or traded! Much less being always with him.
Faith is what opens the door of the Kingdom to the good thief. Good because he
knew how to name justly that which his existence had been and saw the Saviour
in Christ. Was the other one evil? Neither more nor less than the other one
perhaps, but he remained beyond faith: he was looking for the strong and
powerful God, the powerful God in battle, a God who places things in their
place and he did not know how to recognize him in the eyes of Christ, he
stopped at his powerlessness.
c) Reflection
Christ dies on the Cross. He is not
alone. He is surrounded by the people, by the strangest persons, the hostile
ones who throw on him their responsibility of lack of understanding, the
indifferent ones who do not get involved except for personal interest, those
who do not understand as yet but who, perhaps, are better disposed to allow
themselves to be questioned, since they think they have nothing to lose, like
one of the two criminals. If death is to fall into nothingness, then human time
becomes anguish. If, instead, it is to wait for the light, then human time
becomes hope, and the space of the finite opens a passage to tomorrow, to the
new dawn of the Resurrection. I am the way, the truth and the
life. .. how true are these days, the words of Jesus, words which
enlighten the darkness of death. The way does not stop, the truth is not turned
off, life does not die. In those words “I am” is enclosed the royalty of
Christ. We journey toward a goal, and to attain it cannot mean to lose
it… I am the way… We live from truth, and truth is not an object, but
something which exists: “Truth is the splendour of reality – says Simon Well –
and to desire truth is to desire a direct contact with reality in order to love
it”. “I am the truth… Nobody wants to die, we feel deprived of
something which belongs to us: life, and then, if life does not form part of
us, it can not hold us to itself… I am the life… Jesus has said it:
“He who wants to save his life, will lose it, but the one who loses his life
for me, will find it”. Is there some contradiction in the terms or rather
secrets hidden to be revealed? Do we remove the veil from what we see in order
to enjoy what we do not see? Christ on the cross is the object of everybody’s
attention. Many think of him or are even at his side. But this is not
sufficient. The closeness which saves is not that of those who are there to
deride or to mock, the closeness which saves is that of the one who humbly asks
to be remembered not in the fleeing time but in the eternal Kingdom.
3. ORATIO
Psalm 145
I shall praise you to the heights, God
my King,
I shall bless your name for ever and ever.
Day after day I shall bless you,
I shall praise your name for ever and ever.
I shall bless your name for ever and ever.
Day after day I shall bless you,
I shall praise your name for ever and ever.
Great is Yahweh and worthy of all
praise,
his greatness beyond all reckoning.
Each age will praise your deeds to the next,
proclaiming your mighty works.
his greatness beyond all reckoning.
Each age will praise your deeds to the next,
proclaiming your mighty works.
Your renown is the splendour of your
glory,
I will ponder the story of your wonders.
They will speak of your awesome power,
and I shall recount your greatness.
I will ponder the story of your wonders.
They will speak of your awesome power,
and I shall recount your greatness.
They will bring out the memory of your
great generosity,
and joyfully acclaim your saving justice.
Yahweh is tenderness and pity,
slow to anger, full of faithful love.
and joyfully acclaim your saving justice.
Yahweh is tenderness and pity,
slow to anger, full of faithful love.
Yahweh is generous to all,
his tenderness embraces all his creatures.
All your creatures shall thank you, Yahweh,
and your faithful shall bless you.
his tenderness embraces all his creatures.
All your creatures shall thank you, Yahweh,
and your faithful shall bless you.
They shall speak of the glory of your
kingship
and tell of your might,
making known your mighty deeds to the children of Adam,
the glory and majesty of your kingship.
and tell of your might,
making known your mighty deeds to the children of Adam,
the glory and majesty of your kingship.
Your kingship is a kingship for
ever,
your reign lasts from age to age.
Yahweh is trustworthy in all his words,
and upright in all his deeds.
your reign lasts from age to age.
Yahweh is trustworthy in all his words,
and upright in all his deeds.
Yahweh supports all who stumble,
lifts up those who are bowed down.
All look to you in hope
and you feed them with the food of the season.
lifts up those who are bowed down.
All look to you in hope
and you feed them with the food of the season.
And, with generous hand,
you satisfy the desires of every living creature.
Upright in all that he does,
Yahweh acts only in faithful love.
you satisfy the desires of every living creature.
Upright in all that he does,
Yahweh acts only in faithful love.
He is close to all who call upon
him,
all who call on him from the heart.
He fulfils the desires of all who fear him,
he hears their cry and he saves them.
all who call on him from the heart.
He fulfils the desires of all who fear him,
he hears their cry and he saves them.
Yahweh guards all who love him,
but all the wicked he destroys.
My mouth shall always praise Yahweh,
let every creature bless his holy name for ever and ever.
but all the wicked he destroys.
My mouth shall always praise Yahweh,
let every creature bless his holy name for ever and ever.
4. CONTEMPLATIO
Lord, it sounds strange to call you
King. One does not get close to a King easily… And, instead, today I find you
sitting beside me, in the ditch of sin, here, where I would never have thought
to find you. Kings are in palaces, far from the difficulties of the poor
people. You, instead, live your Lordship wearing the worn out clothes of our
poverty. What a great feast for me to see you here where I went to hide myself
so as not to feel the indiscreet looks of human judgment. On the edge of my
failures whom have I found if not you? The only one who could reproach me for
my incoherence comes to look for me to sustain me in my anguish and in my
humiliation! What great illusion when we think that we should come to you only
when we have attained perfection… I would want to think, that you do not like
what I am, but perhaps, it is not exactly like that: I do not like what I am,
but for you, I am alright, because your love is something special which
respects everything in me and makes of every instant of my life a space of
encounter and of gift. Lord, teach me not to get down from the cross with the
absurd pretension of saving myself! Grant that I may know how to wait, at your
side, the TODAY of your Kingdom in my life.
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