The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

Readings For The Day

Reading 1 2 Samuel 5:1–3

In those days, all the tribes of Israel came to David in Hebron and said: "Here we are, your bone and your flesh. In days past, when Saul was 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.'" When all the elders of Israel came to David in Hebron, King David made an agreement with them there before the LORD, and they anointed him king of Israel.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 122:1–5

R. (cf. 1) Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord. I rejoiced because they said to me, "We will go up to the house of the LORD." And now we have set foot within your gates, O Jerusalem. R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord. Jerusalem, built as a city with compact unity. To it the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD. R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord. According to the decree for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD. In it are set up judgment seats, seats for the house of David. R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

Reading 2 Colossians 1:12–20

Brothers and sisters: Let us give thanks to the Father, who has made you fit to share in the inheritance of the holy ones in light. 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. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things were created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he himself might be preeminent. 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 his cross through him, whether those on earth or those in heaven.

Alleluia Mk 11:9, 10

R. Alleluia, alleluia. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is to come! R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Lk 23:35-43

The rulers sneered at Jesus and said, "He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God." Even the soldiers jeered at him. As they approached to offer him wine, they called out, "If you are King of the Jews, save yourself." Above him there was an inscription that read, "This is the King of the Jews." Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us." The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, "Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." He replied to him, "Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."

Initial Thoughts & Impressions

The Father was supposed to be King, but the people rejected His kingship.

David reigned as King a pre-cursor to Jesus the Son of David.

Jesus saved others by not saving Himself. A true King lays down His life for the Salvation of His people.

Outline

REVOLUTIONS

•In the past several years I have been listening to podcasts while driving for work.

•In the various revolutions, the people of the time overthrew perceived tyrants, only to reinstate tyranny of a different manner.

•This often includedmassive human casualties.

•The Russian revolution particularly saw a

•highly vocal minority political group stir up support from a relatively minor percentage of the population,

•kill the Czar & his family,

•and begin massacring people to force them into this line of thought.

•For the most part, a huge part of the population watch apathetically as this occurred.

KINGDOM OF SIN

•There has never been a time in history when one group of people have not tried to enforce their will upon another group.

•Worse yet, there has never been a time when mankind did not try to enforce its will upon God.

•From the fall of Adam & Eve forward we grasp at our will over God’s will. Simply put we sin.

GOD’S CHOICE FOR KING

•This is true of the Israelites when they reject God’s kingship over them, demanding an earthly king to be like the other nations.

•When God grants their request the first King, Saul, tries to subvert God’s plans with David

•After Saul’s death, when Judah recognizes God’s desire for David to rule, the tribes of Israel to the north try to keep Saul’s son.

•When they are defeated, they accept God’s will with David.

•They rightly acknowledge that even when Saul was the King, it was David who carried God’s will & led them to victories over their enemies.

•He covenants with them to be their King & they the people he will shepherd.

THE TWO THIEVES REFLECT TWO DIVISIONS OF MANKIND

•Today we celebrate the Son of David, Jesus Christ as King.

•Just as Israel was divided about who was to be their king at David’s time, so too are they divided at the time of Christ.

•The two thieves reflect this division in their mindset (likely revolutionaries)

The reviling criminal –

Desires to be acquitted though not deserving.

Wants to avoid suffering

Blames God for His predicament

Desires His will be carried out

The Good Criminal-

Recognizes he is receiving just punishment.

Accepts suffering as part of restitution.

Acknowledges Jesus’Kingship

Trust in Jesus & His Will

WORLDLY LEADERS - CHRIST THE KING

The “Leaders” & The World

We are the Kings of our lives.

Tells us to accept no limitations.

We deserve to get all we desire.

Reject Suffering

Reject God & His Holy Will.

The People of God’s Covenant

Know Jesus is the King

(He restores the true Kingship to God through His own Human Obedience.)

Invites us to take up our crosses & follow Him

We will receive more than our mind can every imagine IF we…

*Trust in Jesus & His Will*

HOW GOD ESTABLISHES KINGDOMS

•Earthly Kingdoms are established…

•At the cost of blood & lives of others.

•Control our lives and freedoms for their own agendas.

•Creates division, self interest, & chaos

•In the end violence establishes earthly kingdoms & perpetuates violence.

Jesus’ Kingdom is established…

At the cost of His own life & blood

Provides true freedom of Spirit, but right freedom of the Body as well.

Creates Unity, Covenant, Family

*In the end love is established throughout the heavenly kingdom & only perpetuates greater love.*

PAUL’S VISION IN COLOSSIANS

•Jesus the King is the Visible Image of God our King.

•As such He is preeminent of all mankind the head of His Body The Church.

•The fullness of God dwells in Christ & His Body by His merit.

•Reconciling the violence sinful man seeks to do against God by making peace through the blood of the cross!!!