GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 20TH NOVEMBER 2016
THE SOLEMNITY OF CHRIST THE KING
1ST READING: 2 Samuel 5:1-3
PSALM: Psalm 121: 1-5
2ND READING: Colossians 1:12-20
GOSPEL: Luke 23:35-43
THEME: CHRIST THE KING
History has recorded the rise and fall of many earthly kingdoms. There have been kings and leaders who never dreamt that their reign would one day end but it certainly came to an end. The fact is that no earthly condition is permanent. Against the backdrop of the collapse of many kingdoms, the Church invites us to ponder over a kingship that has permanency, one that has no expiry date.
In the Gospel text for today, Jesus hangs on a cross between two criminals – one was sarcastic and the other prophetic. The first ridiculed Jesus saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” (Luke 23:39) but the other made a very profound request, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Luke 23:42). What kingdom was he referring to?
The Letter to the Colossians gives us a clue to the character of the kingdom – “He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Col 1:13-14). So it is a kingdom where people who once upon a time were broken and sinful have been redeemed and given a place in Christ.
The Letter to the Colossians in describing the king of that kingdom says, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers– all things have been created through him and for him” (Col 1:15-16). In sum, he is the King of kings – Very powerful.
When you are a citizen of a powerful kingdom with a powerful king to lead you, you need not entertain any fear in your heart. Many of us are yet to rise up and discover who we are in Christ the King.
No earthly kingdom is everlasting. In the First Reading, we are told that Saul’s reign came to an end and David took over as king. That means if you bang all your hopes on a human institution that is temporal, the day that institution comes to an end, you too would come to an end but if you bang your hopes on Jesus, heaven and earth would pass away but you would remain.
Perhaps, you look at your life and you feel very unworthy to be a member of the kingdom of Christ on account of your sins. Take courage! Be like the good “criminal” and make that sincere prayer: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom”
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I thank you for making me a citizen of your kingdom. You are my King and Lord and I bow before you in worship. On you I rely and with you I fear no evil. Amen.
Andrews Obeng, svd
DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES
BIBLICAL PASTORAL MINISTRY
(Ghana Province)
“May the darkness of sin and the night of unbelief vanish before the light of the Word and the Spirit of grace. And may the heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all people” (St. Arnold Janssen).