DAILY- HOMILY

20 November 2016

CHRIST THE KING 

[34th and Last Sunday in Ordinary Time]

Solemnity.   White.    

2 Sm 5: 1 – 3 / Col 1: 12 – 20 / Lk 23: 35 - 43

From the 1st Reading: Col 1:  15 - 19

He is the image of the unseen God, and for all creation he is the firstborn, for in him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible:  thrones, rulers, authorities, powers. 

All was made through him and for him.  He is before all and all things hold together in him.  And he is the head of the body that is the Church. for he is the first,  the first raised from the dead that he may be the first in everything for God was pleased to let fullness reside in him. 

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 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 the 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 we did?  For us it is just:  this is the payment for what we have done, but this man has done nothing wrong."  And he said, "Jesus, remember me when you are in your kingdom."  Jesus replied, "Truly, you will be with me today in paradise."

It was now about noon. The sun was hidden darkness came over the whole land until mid-afternoon; and at that time the curtain of the Sanctuary was torn in two.  Then Jesus gave a loud cry, "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit."  And saying that, he gave up his spirit.

Reflection

Today's celebration may seem outdated.  We celebrate Christ as our King, though kings and kingdoms are mainly remnants of the past.  We still celebrate Christ as King because, deep in our hearts and being, we continue to long for a real king, model and leader in our lives.   

We yearn for someone we could trust completely, for one who would wield real power and not abuse it, for a leader utterly trustworthy, loving, wise, understanding and truly good.

Today's Gospel reading about a crucified man on a cross gives us one such leader and king, Jesus of Nazareth.

First, he is king by origin and birth, being the Son of God.

Second, he is king "whose reign shall have no end." (Lk 1: 33)

Third, he is a king whose rule can never be tyrannical: it is not imposed but proposed to be accepted freely and lovingly.

Fourth, his power is based on self-sacrificial love.  

Christ as king has no armed forces nor political supporters, no propaganda machinery, no police force, no judiciary, no legislature.

Its only force and weapon, if we may call it such, is truth: "Just as you say, I am a king.  For this I was born and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth, everyone who is on the side of truth hears my voice."  (Jn 18: 37)

As king he appeals only to those interested in the truth, to all those committed to lives of honesty, righteousness and fidelity to the truth.

Jesus has risen from the dead and sits in glory at the right hand of the Father.  He speaks to each of us. Each one of us must decide for yourself whether or not Jesus is our king.

When we choose Jesus as king we give up making ourself the center of our world and of our life.

Do I choose Jesus as my king?

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY

     Shirley D. Garcia

     Ivy Mariel C. de Ramos

     Odelia Almario Tan

IN MEMORIAM (+)

     Charles Kang Lim (Oct 17, 1960 – Nov 20, 1997)

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most. 

Have a good day!

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