Word to the Wise
Sunday, November 24, 2013 - 34th or Last Sunday in Ordinary Time - C: The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King
[2 Sam 5:1-3; Col 1:12-20; Luke 23:35-43]Above him there was an inscription that read, "This is the King of the Jews." "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
The contrast between the jeering crowd and the criminal who shows faith could not be clearer. The jeering at Jesus is taken from Pilate's inscription which sarcastically refers to Jesus as "the King of the Jews," because he is being executed for being a rebel who is trying to set up a new kingdom to compete with Caesar's. But that is not the real kingdom. The "good thief" (as tradition refers to him - even calling him by a name, 'Dismas') sees what the real kingdom is and asks to be remembered by Jesus. Jesus gives him the wonderful response, "Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."
On this feast of Christ the King, we are challenged to see the real kingdom at work in our midst. It is not Caesar's kingdom or any secular government. We are citizens of Christ's kingdom by baptism. Our citizenship calls us to care for the poor, the hungry, the oppressed, the homeless (cf. Matt. 25:31-45). The focus is not on power unless it is the power of love. All creation owes its source to Christ, but this creation is in existence because of love. If this love rules our lives, then we are blessed with the best of "kings." AMEN