Gospel. Lk. 23:35-43.
Jesus is mocked by the people while he hangs on
the cross. There was an inscription on the cross which said that He was the
king of the Jews. One of the two thieves rebuked Him while the other requested
the Lord to remember him when he comes to His kingdom. And the Lord granted him
his request then and there.
Reflection.
Today (24th Nov '13-Thirty Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time.) as we celebrate the feast of Christ the
King, the readings focus on the state of Christ’s kingship, the state of the
kingdom and its blessings. God’s kingdom exists from the beginning and His
authority too prevails from the start. No one can be a bar to His kingdom for
it is the Father who sustains it, and only the righteous will survive and
inherit this kingdom. All those who turn to Him will be saved and given the
inheritance of the kingdom under the kingship of Christ.
Saul, the king of Israel, is rejected by God and
his kingship is taken away from his family and given to David. In the first
reading we see the people of Israel requesting David to take over the kingdom.
Though this request came only after the death of Saul, David had already been
foretold of his kingship by God’s prophet even before the death of Saul. The
Lord has rejected Saul for his disobedience. Therefore if we are to survive or
inherit the kingdom of God we need to be righteous and obedient.
Christ’s kingdom is not of this world. It existed
from the very beginning. The second reading is clear when it says. “He is the
image of the invisible God, the first born of all creation; for in him all
things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether
thrones or dominions or principalities or power; all things were created,
through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold
together……. Why Christ came to this world was to save all mankind, so that man
will be able to inherit God’s kingdom. He also wished that it be established on
earth. Therefore let us try to establish this kingdom on earth by transforming
our lives from sinfulness to holiness by being righteous.
The Gospel brings the sense of the Lord on the
Cross. The rulers mocked Jesus by calling Him the king of the Jews. There was
even an inscription over his head, “this is the king of the Jews.” Though His
kingship was rejected at His death, it was proved that He was a king both at
His death and resurrection. Nature reacted to the death of the king. But His
kingship was not of this world. This was proved on the cross when he forgave
the repentant thief. He said to him, “this day you shall be with me in
paradise.” He is truly a king and has authority to forgive and to accept anyone
to His kingdom. Therefore let us turn to Him for forgiveness and thus inherit
his kingdom.
First Reading. 2Sam. 5:1-3.
David is appointed king of Israel. All the tribes of Israel go before David and tell him that the Lord has chosen him to be their king. David makes a covenant with them before the Lord and they anoint David as king over Israel.
Second Reading. Col. 1: 12-20.
The Colossians honor, praise and glorify God for what he has been to them. God is extolled above everything and everyone. For it is in and through Christ that God made them sharers in the inheritance of the saints, And Christ made it possible through the Cross.
Aid Story.
The Story is told of Martin of Tours who was a
roman solider and a Christian. One cold winter day, as he was riding into the
city, a poor beggar stopped him and asked him for alms. Although Martin had no
money, he was moved with compassion for the poor man who stood shivering in the
cold. Martin gave him what he had. Taking off his solder’s coat, worn and frayed
though it was, he cut it in two and gave half of it to the beggar. That night
Martin had a dream. In the dream he saw heaven and all of the angels and Jesus
in the midst of them.
Jesus was wearing half of a Roman solder’s cloak.
One of the angels said to Him, “Master, why are You wearing that battered old
cloak? Who gave it to You? And Jesus answered softly. “My servant Martin gave
it to Me.
Aid Story 2.
A man dies and goes to heaven. St. Peter told
him. “This is how it goes you need to get 100 points to get in. You tell
me all the good you’ve done and I will give you the marks. The Man started. “I
was married to the same woman for 50 years and never cheated on her even in my
heart.” “That’s terrific that’s worth 5 points.” “5 points?” The man went on; I
attended church all my life and supported its ministry with my tithes and
service.” “That’s wonderful, that’s worth another 5 points,” said St. Peter. “Only
five points? Golly. How about this: I started a soup kitchen in my city and
worked in a shelter for homeless veterans.” “Fantastic, that’s good for 5 more
points.” said St. Peter. “5 POINTS!!” the man cries, “At this rate the only way
I can get into heaven is by the grace of God!” “Come on in” said St Peter.
Wrote by: Rev.Fr. Ciswan De Croos.
Published by: Ranjan De Mel.
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