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We make choices which may provoke questions or wonderings in the minds of others. We are “unusual” in how we relate with others, with injustices, with pains, losses, tragedies. We are not vanilla, we are “Salt of the Earth” and “Pepper” in the Soup”. Jesus as King did catch the attention of all who encountered Him.  Our entering His Kingdom follows His ways of catching people’s attention so as to ask themselves about the “Why” of our ways. He was an “experience”. We all are ordained by our being baptized into His Kingdom, to be an “experience” of Grace by just showing up.

The Solemnity of Christ the King

2 Samuel 5:1-3

Psalm 122:1-2, 3-4a, 4b-5

Colossians 1:12-20

L uke 23:35-43  And the people stood by, watching; but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, "He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!" (36) The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him vinegar, (37) and saying, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!" (38) There was also an inscription over him, "This is the King of the Jews." (39) One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!" (40) But the other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? (41) And we indeed justly; for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong." (42) And he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." (43) And he said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."

Meditation by Larry Gillick, S.J. - Deglman Center for Ignatian Spirituality

PRE-PRAYERING

W hen we were small in our family, we wanted to grow “up”. Every once-in-a-while special day, our mother would have each of us stand flat-footed, shoes-off, back-to-the-wall and she would draw a line level to the top of our heads on the doorpost in the kitchen. She would initial each line and let us see just how “up” we had grown. Obviously, the physical upness did not exactly measure other areas of personal growing up, that would come much later.

Now at my most recent physical examination, I find I have grown “down”; I’m shrinking! I think rulers are getting outdated. Most of us have spent many days of time measuring our various forms of growth: physical, mental, financial, relational and perhaps, athletically. Ah, but then the spiritual asks for some indication of growth. Where is the ruler for that illusive aspect of our lives?

We will never know how we are doing spiritually, and so we suspect thereby that we are not doing very well. We can wonder if God has a heavenly doorpost and keeps a pencil handy to check our progress or our shrinking. We prepare to celebrate a Eucharistic feast in honor of a King Who shrank in the sight of His people and diminished as He put His back to the throne of the Cross. We are encouraged to give up measuring ourselves and begin growing in confidence of His immeasurable compassion. 

REFLECTION

T hree weeks ago, here in the United States, we had free elections for various local and national offices. There was much pre-election name-calling, back-stabbing, exaggerations, accusations, and even some actual fact-sharing. The voting was free, the advertising was very costly.

What we hear in today’s First Reading from the Second Book of Samuel is the anointing of David as king of both Judah and Israel. David, after his victory over the Philistines in the famous stone-throwing battle with Goliath had been made king of Judah. What we hear is the arrival of the elders from Jerusalem who wish David to become their king and as well, their military leader. At that time Jerusalem was occupied by the Jebucites, a hated foreign dominating power. David accepts their anointing as king and later in the chapter, drives out the foreigners and moves his capital from the town of Hebron to freed Jerusalem .

If you think politics is dirty where you live, read the four chapters which precede our Reading today. 

The Gospel has a bit of dirty politics as well. Jesus, by the love of God, is the “Elect”. He had violated some traditions of purification and the prescriptions concerning the Sabbath, but mainly He had been provocative. That was His crime against the religious leaders. They sought conformity and Jesus lived and preached interiority. Externals were rather insignificant if there were little interior relationship with the God of the Law. His being unusual, new, revolutionary, got Him in deep trouble the consequence of which we read and hear today.

David, as king, raised a siege against Jerusalem and conquered the city. Jesus, as the Christ and the King is the object of a violent siege of jeering and mocking men and eventually is conquered and yet, the Conqueror. The “Good Thief” is the first to receive the Royal decree of entrance into the new Kingdom, the guilty is now forgiven. Royalty is gentle service. The King loses power to gain dominion. The last act becomes the new prologue to the narrative of His kingly play.

During His life and especially here on His Cross, Jesus is an “experience” for others to witness. The Elders and soldiers and the “bad Thief” experienced Him in one way. Others, throughout His life saw, listened, touched and were touched by Him, and each asking themselves about these experiences, made a decision or had their attitudes changed, one way or other. Some were filled with awe and wonder. Some were frightened and moved away. Some, even in His home town, tried to do away with Him. It is exactly what He came to do as Savior. Good or Bad Thief, who would allow Jesus to welcome them and who would reject His offering of life?

Those of us who desire to follow Him in our lives have answered the big question about reception or rejection. In doing so we, being of His Kingship, are meant to be, sent to be, yes, persons who are “experiences”. We are of the provocative King and of His ways. We make choices which may provoke questions or wonderings in the minds of others. We are “unusual” in how we relate with others, with injustices, with pains, losses, tragedies. We are not vanilla, we are “Salt of the Earth” and “Pepper” in the Soup”.   

Jesus as King did catch the attention of all who encountered Him. He was the Servant of God Who served God’s people even to His death. Our entering His Kingdom follows His ways of catching people’s attention so as to ask themselves about the “Why” of our ways. He was an “experience”. We all are ordained by our being baptized into His Kingdom, to be an “experience” of Grace by just showing up.

“The Lord will reign for ever and will give His people the gift of peace.” Ps. 29, 10-11

Supplementary Reading

Going Against the Flow

But the whole assembly talked about stoning them. ~ Numbers 14:10a

H ave you ever had to stand up against the majority for a cause that wasn't popular? God brought the Israelites out of Egypt and promised He would lead them into a land of milk and honey. The process of moving out of Egypt was difficult. They could no longer do things the old way, for the old ways didn't work in the desert. God provided for them during this journey. But there came a point in which the people forgot what God had said. Their discomfort changed their belief about God.

Whenever God is slow to answer our prayers, what we believe about God is revealed. Do we change our plans and move in a different direction when pressure mounts? Or do we continue on the path God has directed for us? Four men believed what God said and were willing to stand; however, the crowd wanted to stone them.

Then Moses and Aaron fell facedown in front of the whole Israelite assembly gathered there. Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes and said to the entire Israelite assembly, "The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the Lord is pleased with us, He will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them." But the whole assembly talked about stoning them. Then the glory of the Lord appeared at the Tent of Meeting to all the Israelites (Numbers 14:5-10).

Notice Joshua and Caleb's response to the situation. They had spied the land. They believed God. They challenged the crowd. They seemed to know that if the Lord was not pleased with them they would not enter into the Promised Land. Those who grumbled did not enter the Promised Land. Only Joshua and Caleb and a new generation saw the fulfillment of God's promise.

Has God called you to stand for a cause bigger than yourself? You will have opposition to His call; sometimes it even comes from those in your own camp. But if God has called you, then you can be sure He will make a way. He has already opened the way before you. But you must walk in faith, joined with Him to take the land.

...Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9).  – OS Hillman

GOD BLESS US ALL!

O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.

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