Gospel Reflection
“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
As the liturgical year draws to a close, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Christ the King – a feast that redefines kingship through the lens of love. In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus is crucified between two criminals. One mocks Him; the other, broken yet hopeful, whispers: “Jesus, remember me…” And Jesus responds not with judgment, but with promise: “Today you will be with me in paradise.”
This is the heart of Christ’s reign: mercy in suffering, dignity in despair. His throne is the cross. His crown is compassion.
At St Ursula’s, we see this Gospel come alive in our support for the Vinnies Christmas Appeal. Through hampers, donations and acts of kindness, our community embodies the spirit of Serviam, serving Christ by standing with those in need. In doing so, we echo the vision of Pope Leo XIV, who recently reminded the Church “In love, God will gather us together with our loved ones.”
As we prepare to enter Advent, a season of waiting and welcome, we are reminded of the deep longing that lives in every human heart. St Augustine named this longing with timeless clarity,“You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.”
This restlessness is not a flaw, it is a grace. It draws us toward justice, mercy and Christ Himself. It stirs us to act, serve and remember. And it finds its home in a community where Christ truly reigns.
We also recognise that this longing for truth and belonging is shared across cultures and faith traditions. Whether expressed through prayer, service, or reflection, the search for meaning is sacred. In every act of compassion, no matter the creed, we glimpse the kingdom Christ proclaimed, a kingdom shaped by love, animated by mercy and open to all who seek.
May this Advent awaken in us a deeper desire to build that kingdom, not someday, but today.
