Introduction to the Liturgy of the Day

Today we acknowledge that while leaders of nations in this world come and go, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is ruler over all people both now and forever. The idea to celebrate this feast was born out of a growing nationalism and secularism one hundred years ago. The world had just lived through the horrors of four years of war unprecedented in its spread over the whole world. This led to Pope Pius XI instituting this feast in 1925. Today we recognize Christ’s preeminence and pray for the day when peace and goodwill forever overcome war and aggression.
 

Introduction to the Liturgy of the Word

In the first reading we hear of the moment when David, supported by all the tribes of Israel, was anointed king. Paul praises Jesus as head of the church and firstborn of the dead, ruler over the heavenly kingdom. Luke tells us that as Jesus hung on the cross he promised a place in heaven to the penitent thief. As we listen to God’s word, let us pray that Jesus remembers us as well in his heavenly kingdom.
 

Reflection

• Before the elders of Israel anointed David king, they presented themselves to him, saying, “Here we are, your bone and your flesh” (2 Samuel 5:1). They claimed kinship with him before giving him the kingship. Paul declares that all things, including all of us, were created in Christ and through Christ, which gives us kinship with him. He is our brother as well as our King. On the cross, Jesus declares a sort of kinship with the repentant thief, promising him that he will accompany him in heaven. In countries that recognize royalty, just being distantly related to the king can bring you a royal title and privileges. Since we are kin of our King, we too are royalty.

• When we first meet David he was tending sheep, overlooked since he was the youngest of Jesse’s sons. Jesus presented himself as the Good Shepherd, tending his own and rescuing the lost. On the cross he is still the shepherd, welcoming the lost sheep to his heavenly pasture.

• Three times those surrounding Jesus on the cross scoffed at this supposed king slowly dying the death of a criminal. The rulers, the soldiers, and one of the criminals each call upon him to save himself if he is so powerful. The criminal goes on to demand that he save him as well. None of these people can imagine anyone, especially a king, being so selfless that he wouldn’t do whatever he could to save his own life. They cannot understand the paradox of God being born into this world seemingly only to die an ignominious death. Only the criminal who recognizes Jesus’ innocence seeks not that his own life be saved, but rather life in a kingdom that the Messiah is willing to die for.
 

Question of the Week

Who can I forgive this week, imitating the Lord’s mercy, sowing the seeds of the kingdom, and bringing a sort of paradise to someone else’s heart?