Sunday, November 20, 2016
CHRIST THE KING
First Reading: 2 Sam 5:1-3
Second Reading:
Col 1:12-20
Gospel Reading:
Lk 23:35-43
The people stood by watching. As for the rulers, they jeered at him, saying to one another, “Let the man who saved others now save himself, for he is the Messiah, the chosen one of God!”
The soldiers also mocked him and when they drew near to offer him bitter wine, they said, “So you are the king of the Jews? Free yourself!” For above him was an inscription which read, “This is the King of the Jews.”
One of the criminals hanging with Jesus insulted him, “So you are the Messiah? Save yourself and us as well!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Have you no fear of God, you who received the same sentence as he did? For us it is just: this is payment for what we have done. But this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus replied, “Truly, you will be with me today in paradise.”
D@iGITAL-EXPERIENCE
(Daily Gospel in the Assimilated Life Experience)
Human beings see kingship as power over others. So many are surprised why Jesus is presented as the crucified one in today’s Gospel reading on the feast of Christ the King. Yet this is the best picture of kingship. Christ’s crucifixion best teaches the essence of a kingship that proclaims unconditional love, that procures for us our salvation, and that makes us heirs of the kingdom. The kingship of Jesus is characterized by the “cup” of salvation he freely drank for all of us. This c.u.p. “Catered” salvation to all, “Unilaterally” manifested unconditional love of God for everyone, and “Procured” adoption for all.
Christ catered salvation for all not by mere declaration of general amnesty but by ‘offering his life as a ransom for many’ (Matt. 20:28). By this he manifested his unconditional love for all. It was not the ordinary love that people knew then, but the expanded version described as ‘giving up one’s life for one’s friends’ (Jn. 15:13). This is not to be construed as excluding the enemies and restricting love to one’s friends. Interpreted with another Gospel passage where Jesus said ‘I no longer call you slaves… but friends’ (Jn. 15:15), this means that love empowers us to consider everyone friends, including our enemies.
This love did more than save us; it procured adoption for humanity, making us sons and daughters of God. This brand of kingship Christ exercised to our maximum benefit established our path to holiness. If we want to be great, we must not lord it over others but serve others like Christ our King! —(Atty.) Rev. Fr. Dan Domingo P. delos Angeles, Jr., DM., MAPM., MMExM., REB., Email: [email protected].
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