November 24, 2013

Bulletin November 24, 2013 C

Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

2 Samuel 5:1-3; Colossians 1:12-20; Luke 23: 35-43
Who is God to me? Who is Jesus to me? I find it way to easy to be so involved in my own ‘little world’ that I easily lose sight not only of God’s constant presence and interaction in the world but of the need God has for me to be Jesus. I find this to be the bottom line meaning of the readings on this feast of Christ the King.
In the first reading the tribes from Israel came to David wanting him to be their king. What had happened was that Saul was engaged in a war with the Philistines. The Philistines were soundly beating Saul and his troops and they fled to Mount Gilboa where the Philistines caught up with them and killed Saul and his sons, Jonathan included. David at the same time had a successful campaign against the Amalekites and heard of Saul’s death and went to Hebron where he was named king of that area and Ishbaal, a son of Saul, was named king over Israel. Two years later Ishbaal was killed in combat which led the tribes of Israel to come to David asking him to be their king. They used unusual words to say this: “In days past, when Saul our king, it was you who led the Israelites out and brought them back. And the Lord said to you, ‘You shall shepherd my people Israel and shall be commander of Israel.’” So even though it was the people who anointed David as their king, they believed that it was really God who had chosen him. Not only was he ‘kin’ to them but also they characterized his as a shepherd because shepherds were familiar with and personally concerned about their flocks. What does this tell me about Jesus and the Father? Jesus continued the shepherd theme continually by saying ‘I am the Good Shepherd’...’I know my sheep’...a good shepherd lays down His life for His sheep.’ This is God...this is the love of the Father...this is the love of Jesus saying ‘yes’ to come and suffer and die for each and every person, to die for me, to redeem all from their sins. That’s why I and each person can say, ‘I am a sinner...I am a redeemed sinner...I am a loved, redeemed sinner. This is what God did, where is my gratitude?
And Jesus added that the ‘good shepherd’ left the 99 sheep to go out after one lost sheep and bring it back and St. Luke gave witness to this in describing the last moments of Jesus life on the cross. Even amid all the cruelty, rejection and hatred all around Him, one criminal calls on Jesus to save the three of them hanging there in death’s throws. But the other criminal recognizes that Jesus is the innocent one who is “passing over into His kingdom” and asks that Jesus take him there. In some of the most beautiful and tender words that I love to reflect on, Jesus says, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” This is what God’s love is all about...this is the proof of God’s love and Jesus’ love. Now what am I to do with this?
Paul takes this love and praises the divine character of Jesus rather than His human nature. Paul characterizes Christ in several ways; each reference adding a significant dimension to how each person can come to an understanding of Him. As Living the Word explains, “He is a visible manifestation of the invisible God. He enjoys priority in time and primacy in importance. He is the agent through whom all was created, and He is also the goal of all creation. He holds all things together. He is the agent of reconciliation. The sacrificial deal of the human Jesus becomes the means though which the cosmic Christ reconciles all of creation with God.” AND this is what it is all about...Jesus died for me...for every person...Jesus came to tell me and every person of God’s love and not only that but that He wants and needs each person through their gifts and love to be Jesus to each person, every day, all the time. This is the way, the only way that I and each and every person can obtain heaven and be with God. THIS IS WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT....

Alice Camille a wonderful spiritual writer writes this in her weekly column explaining the Weekly Readings, “’Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.’ Paradise can seem a long way off, depending on where you’re sitting. Yet even from the cross, Jesus views Paradise as an event happening later today. Such faith is astonishment to us, so we want to brush it away by saying, ‘Well, of course, he’s Jesus.’ Then we have to take into account that Jesus is in conversation with another crucified man, a criminal not less. And it’s this poor schmuck—who has no reason to hope for anything at all—who’s initiated the talk of Paradise and is assured he’ll be there shortly.

This leaves us with no excuse but to admit that our lack of faith has no rationale to hide behind. Even when our prospects seem pretty dim, the fulfillment of every hope is a stone’s throw from here: from the midterm exam room and the college rejection notice, from the marital argument and the divorce filing, from the grueling job and the pink slip, from the courtroom and the prison cell, from the doctor’s office and the chemo waiting, from the confessional and the deathbed. Wherever we are, Paradise is within reach.” And she gives these three questions for reflection:

• “How many chapters has your life had so far? What do you carry from one episode of life to the next?
  
• How do you signal your acceptance of the divine invitation?
  
• How do you foster an attitude of hope in every circumstance?”
  

And I continue to reflect on:

• Do I sometimes deny my beliefs, as the first criminal did in this gospel passage?
  
• How do I act as the good criminal and realize the great gift given me through the death and resurrection of Jesus?
  
• Do I believe God is an all-merciful God all the time?
  
• Is there someone with whom I need to reach in reconciliation?
  

And Sacred Space 2013 continues:

“Glamour and splendor mark the presence of earthly royalty. Jesus is not recognizable as King to those expecting power or glory. We need to train ourselves to look for signs of Jesus’ reign. His real identity can be seen only by the humble.

The ‘good thief’ saw things as they were: he knew his own sinfulness; he recognized Jesus’ character; he asked for little yet was rewarded for his honesty. Humility brings a true perspective and is the ground for meeting God. I pray for humility.”