Benevolent monarchies without a spiritual force behind it rarely exist to offer the fullness of what Jesus, a Christian King, provides for us through His love of all that exists in His realm with His Father and the Holy Spirit. If that were not enough of a challenge, outside influences based on fulfilling one’s personal needs of wealth, fame and power all but destroy human decency, morals and integrity so that nothing can exist without negativity in all facets available for peaceful co-existence.
It is for these reasons that we have difficulty in accepting goodness through kingship because so many royal rulers throughout history have adopted a selfish attitude rather than one of selflessness like Jesus. We look at the times in which they lived and so few of them come close to Jesus, the Christ, who alone is “Lord of lords and the King of kings” (Rev. 17:14). He realized that if He didn’t become human like us and suffer, we would not be able to consider following a man who, though crucified on the cross, was forgiving all who caused Him harm.
As we look at our own lives, how many times have others negatively affected us that gave us thought to seek revenge rather than forgiveness for the harm they caused us? And yet, Jesus, forgives everyone while hanging on the cross including those who conspired to kill Him, the soldiers who brutalized Him, His disciples who deserted Him, the criminal crucified with Him who acknowledged His kingship and us who seek His love, mercy and forgiveness for not always living up to the promise of loving Him and all He created as He loves us.
Forgiveness is the way of the Kingdom. We are called to be members of a Kingdom of Truth that sets us apart from those seeking a life of materialism which is empty and an illusion. As followers of Jesus we are committed to His Kingdom of Justice and Love. The question for us is do we have the courage and strength to be faithful members of His Kingdom? According to St. Paul’s Letter to the Colossians today, we do.
The difficulty seems to be we don’t always recognize when we should be followers in thought, word and deed. We seem to spend more time on what the consequences will be to us based on the world’s viewpoint rather than answering the call of discipleship we say we want. The idea of possible suffering to make a point on behalf of Jesus and His Kingdom on earth or in heaven, gives us pause. So much so that, we often don’t do anything and lose an opportunity to actively practice the faith we promised to defend no matter the cost.
What Jesus is saying in St. Luke’s Gospel today to the God-fearing criminal is that because you have openly espoused your agreement with God’s plan for all He created, you will have eternal life. Isn’t that what all of want to hear when we pass from this world to the next? That we were the good and faithful servant God created us to be.
Let us take this last week of Ordinary Time to meditate, contemplate and pray about who we want to be in God’s Kingdom as we begin the new liturgical year “A.” If we want “Thy Kingdom Come, Thy will be Done” as we pray in the Lord’s Prayer, then we need to accept God’s call to be one with Him. Then, and only then, will God’s Kingdom on earth flourish for all who believe and want to be in partnership with Jesus our King, His Father and the Holy Spirit.
Reading 1: Second Samuel 5: 1-3
Reading 2: Colossians 1: 12-20
Gospel: Luke 23: 35-43
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