34TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
2 Sam 5:1-3; Ps 122
Col. 1:12-20; Lk 23:35-43
JESUS THE TRUE KING OF THE UNIVERSE
Today we come to the last Sunday in the ordinary season and the end of the liturgical year. The last Sunday of the liturgical year calls us to celebrate the feast of Christ the Universal King .
Although we have few monarchs in the modern world who exercise real power, we still have an idea of what kingship is about. A king is the one with total power. In earlier times, the king was the centre of civil life, his word is law, he held in his hands and will the life or death of any person living in his kingdom.
Today as we celebrate the feast of Christ the King, the Church presents us a very troubling reading to contemplate the kingship of Jesus. The gospel from Luke 23:35-43 does not in any way present what we know of kings. It is the story of Jesus’ crucifixion. The Rulers sneered at him to save himself if he is the chosen one. They doubted from what they saw if Jesus could be the Messiah to save and deliver them. How can he who will save them not be able to save himself from the very people who were tormenting them. The soldiers on the other hand mocked him because he was not their king. So they considered him as a captured king. They mock him also because he was poor and weak and had no army. A king without an army is unthinkable.
But all these are to define Jesus’ kingship by their own terms. But he is not that kind of king. That is the way the world views kingship(leadership). In his teachings, Jesus already indicates what his kingdom and kingship is. He told his disciples “ the kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors…” (Luke 22:25; Mttw 20:25; Mk 10:42). What is his kingdom like?
His kingdom is one of truth. When he appeared before Pilate, he told him “…everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice…” (John 18:37). Anyone who desires to be part of this kingdom must oblige himself to pursue truth no matter what. This will not be easy in a world that puts forth power and possessions as its primary truth. The truth is the word of God. Anything we seek to do must be done in accordance with the truth of the word of God. Sometimes we are tempted by the world with its enticements of possessions and power. But we must, even if we will, go after these things in the truth of God’s word.
His kingdom is the reign of God. In a world where people are becoming strongly opinionated, thinking what they think is okay and right, Jesus presents us with a better option; humbly accepting God’s will even if its unpleasant. He shows the way by allowing the will of God to prevail in his life by accepting the cross. He prayed “ Father, if you are willing take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). When we allow God’s will to prevail, we discover our purpose and vocation.
His kingdom is eternal. His kingdom transcends this world. Since his kingdom is beyond this world, he does not need to prove his power. That is why he did not respond to the mockery of the Jewish elders and the Roman soldiers. The demonstration of power is a characteristic of secular and temporal rulers. To prove anything would be to belittle his eternal kingdom. All of us his followers belong to such a kingdom. Therefore, we need not prove anything to the world except to please our king. That’s all. His kingdom cannot be destroyed because it does not belong to this world. We too cannot be destroyed for scripture says “do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both the soul and the body” (Matt. 10:28). Our king is the one who has power over the body and soul. We live in this world with an assurance that he is with us and will not abandon us. The saints are a testimony to all these things about the eternity of the kingdom of Jesus.
What kind of king then is Jesus?
He is a shepherd king. He is the kind of king who identifies with his subjects. Unlike the kings of this world who live in mansions far detached from the lives of their people, Jesus the shepherd king is with us in our struggles and pain. Whatever we are feeling or going through Jesus is with us in it. He bears the cold and dirt with us. His coming is not only to identify with us but also strengthen us by making us sharers in his divine nature (2 Pt 1:4).
He is a king with real power. When they asked him to save himself they were testing his power. But real power does not abuse but serves. He told his disciples that they should not be like those of the world lording their power over others but they should show their power by serving others. Real power is seen in service of the poor and the needy in our society. If you can serve the poor, needy, homeless and dying, then you are really powerful. Real power is also the ability to stand for the truth and be ready to endure pain and hardship for that. And that is what Jesus did. He stood for the truth and suffered for it.
He is a king whose protocol is direct and personal. Many leaders of our world have surrounded themselves with complex bureaucracy. But not so with our king. he is available to each one of us. All of us can go to him directly. All it takes is the courage and fellowship of prayer. Try it.
As a king he desires to be part of our whole life. He wants us totally. He is open for relationship. But unlike the kings of this world he does not force us. He awaits with open arms with lots of love. Are you ready to allow him into your life. He waits for you.
He is a kind who responds to the needs of his people. When the repentant thief expressed a need for salvation Jesus gives it to him immediately. He does not give empty promises like our politicians. He has the power, he is willing and he does it immediately. What need do you have? Just call upon him. And he will grant you. He told his disciples “whatever you ask in prayer believe that you have received it and it will be yours”(Mk 11:24).
May Jesus the king of the universe be our king also. May he help us to be worthy of his kingdom.
God bless you.
By Fr. Delight Arnold Carbonu
