Reflections for Our Lord Jesus Christ, Universal King. C

The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus, Universal King

Our Lord Jesus Christ, Universal King.  C                                                                                              

2 Sam. 5:1-3. Psalm 121:1-5, Rv.2. Col.1:12-20.,

You are the man who shall be the shepherd of my people Israel.

I rejoiced when I heard them say: ‘Let us go to God’s house’.

He has taken us out of darkness and created a place for us in his Son’s kingdom.

Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom.

Luke 23:35-43.

35 The people stood there watching while the Jewish leaders made fun of him: "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah whom God has chosen!" 36 The soldiers also made fun of him: they came up to him and offered him cheap wine, 37 and said, "Save yourself if you are the king of the Jews!" 38 Above him were written these words: "This is the King of the Jews." 39 One of the criminals hanging there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!" 40 The other one, however, rebuked him, saying, "Don't you fear God? You received the same sentence he did. 41 Ours, however, is only right, because we are getting what we deserve for what we did; but he has done no wrong." 42 And he said to Jesus, "Remember me, Jesus, when you come as King!" 43 Jesus said to him, "I promise you that today you will be in Paradise with me."

Be a king

“The rulers of this world lord it over their people. It is not to be so with you.” “I do not belong to this world”, “I am the good shepherd. I lay down my life for my sheep”. “I have come not to be served but to serve and give my life as a ransom for many”. “Are you a king? You are right in saying I am a king”. “My kingdom is not of this world”.

We use the same word, ‘king’ but with Jesus it has a totally different meaning. Kings and rulers here always talk about serving the people. We all know and it is quite blatant that many are interested only in power and wealth. Democratic elections are all about gaining or holding on to ‘power’. Kings were people of power and at times absolute power. Rulers, past and present, want to control others, to exercise their will and in the end they want to be supreme in everything.

Jesus has come to do the will of his Father. The Father’s will is that none of those given to him should be lost. Jesus will not lord it over anyone. He invites us to come to him and he will give us rest. He invites us to take on ourselves his yoke which is easy and to carry his burden which is light. He invites us to follow him on the way to the eternal kingdom, to submit ourselves to him so that we may inherit the Kingdom of his Father.

He carried our burdens and took on himself our sicknesses. He healed all who came to him, rich and poor alike, Jew and gentile. He liberated those captivated by evil and evil spirits. He put the individual before rituals, laws and customs. He loved and welcomed everyone who came to him be they outcast or sinner, man or woman. The powers of his day that lorded it over the people and under the pretence of long prayers swallowed up the property of widows, opposed him bitterly. He would not stop giving himself.  In the end unable to bear him any longer they had him judicially murdered on a cross. The sight was too cruel to behold with his hands and feet nailed to the wood and his whole body lacerated with the Roman scourging. But he still thought only of his people. He has come to save others and not himself. He cannot save himself because he only thinks of his Father and of us. He dies as he has lived, forgiving his enemies and those who in their ignorance have done this crime. He takes with him into paradise a thief who dies with him, the first fruits of his healing love which makes Gods of men.

Have you met this man, Jesus? He stands at your door.

Father where is God? He hangs on a cross for you. May I be his subject.