Readings and meditation on the Word of God, Sunday of the 24th November 2019; The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. 2 Samuel 5, 1-3; Colossians 1, 12-20; Luke 23, 35-43. Voice: brother Franco sdb (reading 1), brother Sevrin sdb (reading 2), rev Victor sdb (gospel), and father Peter sdb (meditation)
The theme of our meditation on this Sunday, the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe is: Three Gifts for Christ the King. We end our liturgical year C with a great celebration, which is the solemnity of Christ as our king and the whole universe. A king who is glorified and respected at his very special feast, he is in his palace and sits on his throne. Everyone comes from all over the kingdom to worship and give thanks. Visitors do not forget to bring gifts or souvenirs for the king.
This is a common practice in royal life in the world. For the Lord Jesus Christ as king, one might ask: where do we go to visit and give our gifts as signs of our honor to Him? For sure, in this world Jesus has no palace and throne. He has no soldiers and staff surrounding him in the palace. Our gospel of today illustrates that the palace and throne of Jesus are the Golgotha Hill and the cross on which he hangs, in the midst of blasphemies and torments by his enemies.
We who are members of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ must have the right attitude of faith, so we can come to visit our King without shame, hurt, and anger. On the contrary, we must come to pay our homage with an attitude of joy and gratitude. Why? Because the King Christ is very different from the kings of this world, which is the same as King David, who will disappear one day with all his authority. The King Christ reigns in the world and the hereafter. In heaven lies His palace and throne. His kingdom is the kingdom of Light.
By looking at the crucified Christ the King, the gifts we should give to Him are our faith, love and hope. Leaders should be teachers of the faith, but they actually insult and curse Jesus on the cross. We must offer true faith to our King, because in and through Him our faith in God grows and bear fruits. We believe, He suffered greatly under the power of Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. We believe that His throne in the world is the Cross.
The soldiers arrogantly insulted Himself as king. They are like those who have no love, though their lives are entirely as servants and helpers, but they really do not have love in treating Jesus Christ. We must treat Jesus Christ with true love, namely through our self-denials in following the way of His cross. A criminal convicted with Jesus joined in insulting Jesus, and this reflects how sinners and marginal people expect salvation through the actions of Jesus Christ. We also have that hope, that is, we die with Christ and rise again with Him.
Let’s pray. In the name of the Father… O Lord Jesus, our King, strengthen us on the path of Your way of the Cross until we reach salvation. Our Father in heaven… In the name of the Father…