Week 34 Cycle C – Solemnity of Christ the King

We are a pilgrim people of God, journeying on our way to salvation, and Jesus is the way.  Starting this summer, we’ve been on a journey with Jesus through the Gospel who has been making his way from Galilee to his final destination in Jerusalem.  Along the way Jesus has taught us about the virtues of charity, mercy, forgiveness, and humility through the parables. The Good Samaritan, the Prodigal Son, the rich man and Lazarus, and the Pharisee and tax collector are a few that we heard.  We’ve also heard about Jesus’ encounter with people along the way and how he changed their lives for the better.There was the cleansing of 10 lepers who were able return to their communities and the one who showed us the importance of showing gratitude to God.  We can’t forget the story of Zachaeus who climbed a tree to see Jesus and reformed his life after Jesus came to dine with him.

Today we find Jesus at his final destination in Jerusalem: The Cross, where He shows us how to lead as a Servant King.   In this closing scene of the Gospel we hear the rulers and

soldiers mocking him.  They place a sign on the cross to ridicule him for the crime he was crucified for: “This is the King of the Jews.” The soldiers and criminal try to tempt Jesus from suffering his impending death stating, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself”.  But Jesus didn’t come to Jerusalem to save himself, he came to save us.   Jesus is a shepherd, who leads by serving his people, sacrificing himself for the sake of his flock.  At the cross Jesus conquers death and opens up the kingdom of God to us.   He does so for both those who stand by him as well the ones who mock and despise him.

As Jesus is dying on the cross he continues to lead as Servant King by showing mercy to the repentant thief.  The thief recognizes Jesus’ innocence and admits his guilt to saying, “we have been condemned justly”.  He shows faith in Jesus’ asking, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”  Jesus exercises his power by extending his mercy to the repentant thief telling him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise”.  This is a fitting scene for the close of the Year of Mercy.  Through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross he reconciles us to God and opens up the door to enter his Kingdom.  St. Paul tells us that “He delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins”. If we show repentance and ask for his mercy, we can enter into his kingdom.

When we come together each week to receive the Eucharist we receive a foretaste of God’s kingdom where we are set free.   In the opening prayer we heard, “Almighty ever-living God, whose will is to restore all things in your beloved Son, the King of the universe, grant, we pray, that the whole creation, set free from slavery, may render your majesty service, and ceaselessly proclaim your praise.”  At each Mass the saving action of Christ’s sacrifice on the altar of the cross is re-presented to us.   On the cross the Jesus gave himself for his people, “as a spotless sacrifice to bring us peace”.   Through the cross the Servant King brought peace and reconciliation to all who ask him, even to those who put him to his death.   The Eucharist brings us together to worship our King and recall his gift of mercy to enter into his glorious kingdom. 

So we give thanks to God for sending us Jesus as our Servant King as we await to enter into his kingdom.  What kind of kingdom will it be?   A kingdom of truth and life.  A kingdom of holiness and grace.  A kingdom of justice, love, and peace.  St. Paul tells us that Jesus’ reign as King will be a reconciliation, “For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile all things for him, making peace by the blood of the cross.”  As we participate in Christ’s Kingdom now through the Eucharist, let’s thank him.   Let’s also ask for the grace to help make his Kingdom present in this world by showing our love to God and our neighbor. By doing so we hope that others will be attracted to join us as loyal subjects in Christ’s kingdom.