“SEEDS OF LIFE”
Sunday, 20th November 2016.
Thirty Fourth Week of Ordinary Time
Solemnity of Christ the King, and
Closing of the Jubilee Year of Mercy
2 Samuel 5:1-3;
Psalm 121:1-5;
Collosians1:12-20;
Luke 23:35-43.
A KING IN DISGUISE
John Powell in his book The Christian Vision speaks about an Irish legend. The reigning king had no children to succeed him on the throne. So he had his messengers post signs in every town and village of his kingdom inviting qualified young men to apply for an interview with the king. Two qualifications were needed: the person must have deep love for God and for his neighbour. One young man saw one of the signs. He indeed had a deep love for God and neighbour. He applied for an interview. But he was so poor that he didn’t have decent clothes to wear for an interview, and no money to buy enough provisions for the long journey to the king’s castle. He decided to beg for the clothes and provisions he needed. When everything was ready, he set out. After almost a month of travel, he caught sight of the king’s castle. At about the same time, he also caught sight of a poor old beggar sitting by the side of the road. The beggar held out his hands and pleaded for help. “I am hungry and feeling cold” he said in a shivering voice, “Could you give me something to eat and something warm to wear?” The young man was moved by the sight of the beggar. He stripped off his warm outer clothes and exchanged them for the tattered old coat of the beggar. He also gave the beggar most of the provisions he had been carrying in his backpack for the return journey. Then somewhat uncomfortably, he walked on to the castle in tattered clothes. When he arrived at the castle, the guards took him to the visitors’ area. After a long wait he was led in to see the king. He bowed low before the throne and when he straightened up, he could hardly believe his eyes. He said to the king, “You were the beggar beside the road!” “That’s right” said the king, “I had to find out if you really loved God and neighbour”.
This story makes an absolutely valid point that today’s liturgy makes. This Sunday’s liturgy is ornamented with two great celebrations: the Solemnity of Christ the King and the Closing of the Jubilee Year of Mercy. Our Lord Jesus during his life here on earth was indeed a King, that too a merciful one. The life of Jesus was in reality an epitome of mercy, who else could ever say while dying on the cross: “Father forgive them for they know not what they do”.
Whenever we think of an image of king, we are reminded of a crown, throne and the kingdom. These images bring to our mind the glory and majesty of Kingship. But as seen in today gospel Jesus was proclaimed as a King, with a crown of thorns, a throne of wood (the cross) and his Kingdom that of those who abandoned and crucified him. Where then is the glory and majesty? To answer this, we need to have a distinctive understanding of the Kingdom we think about and the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.
When we reflect about the kingship in the Old Testament one of the prominent figure that comes to our mind is King David. In the first reading from second book of Samuel we read about the anointing of David as the King over Israel. We see that David had a great support from all the tribes who were his subjects. During his reign we see Israel enter into its golden era conquering much of the neighboring tribes and expanding its area. David defeated Palestinians – the arch enemies of Israel several times and thus gaining support and glory from the people of Israel.
On the other hand, when we speak about the kingship of Jesus things seem to be quite different or rather in contrast, even the disciples of Jesus were expecting him to establish a political kingdom like that of David here on earth. Here is where we need to open our eyes, Jesus did come to establish the Kingdom of God but not a political and material one. The Kingdom of God is perfect and therefore it can’t be a political or material kingdom which can rise and fall rather the Kingdom of God is that which will stand for ever. Therefore, one fully shares in this Kingdom only through resurrection which was won and given to us by our King Jesus Christ.
The glory and majesty of Jesus’ kingdom is thus beyond all the kingdoms of the earth as is revealed to us in today’s second reading from the letter to the Colossians. Though the fullness of the kingdom will be realized only at the second coming of Christ, he has already inaugurated the Kingdom through his resurrection. Jesus lived among us here on earth as a man so that he can show us the path that leads to this Kingdom. The glory of Jesus seen in today’s second reading too was wrought only in the aftermath of his walk on the path of service and suffering here on earth.
If we want to be the members of this Kingdom, then we need to walk the path of service and suffering. This year of mercy, we were called to offer our service in proclaiming God’s mercy. As Pope Francis reminded us at the beginning of the Year of mercy we need to be the merciful face of God for those in grief and sorrow, to those who are depressed and oppressed. The Jubilee year of mercy is coming to an end but the mercy of God will remain unchanging and last forever and we the subjects of this kingdom are its agents. Jesus said, “the kingdom of God is at hand” and indeed it is, now is the time for us to pledge our lives to Our King Jesus Christ and surely He will take us in his Kingdom to share in his eternal glory.
Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, You are the King of the Universe and I wish that You may be the only King of my life. I ask that I may be able to find You every day in the hungry and thirsty, in the sick and in the stranger and serve You in them. Amen.