Feast of Christ the King
This Sunday’s readings bring to an end the yearly liturgical cycle and conclude with the great festival honouring Christ as King. This is quite a recent Feast Day, inaugurated in 1925 by Pope Pius XI. At this time in global history, the Great War was over but, in Europe, there were signs that peace was an illusion. The Feast Day was to be a reminder that, though world powers may fail, there is a power for peace within the world that will not fail. The reign of Christ has been established, and the values of peace and justice are possible for those who seek this reign of God.
While the world seeks power through pomp and display, Jesus displays the power of God’s reign on a Cross. The values of this world, which led to the horrors of Gallipoli, Hiroshima, Cambodia, Ukraine and more, need to be turned upside down for true peace to prevail. Wars begin with greed and selfishness, whether played out on a world scale or within a family home. Peace begins where there is generosity, forgiveness and concern about others. This is the “Kingdom” that Jesus came to offer and the power that we celebrate at Sunday’s Feast.
“Today you will be with me in paradise”
The cycle of Luke’s Gospel comes to a fitting end with the image of the crucified Saviour offering life in God’s gracious love to a dying criminal. Heaven is open for those who desire to live in God.
The Gospel of Luke is underlined by a message of hope for those who are afflicted, outcast and poor. In this Gospel, the message and ministry of Jesus are directed specifically to these lowly ones. The significance of the role played by the poor is highlighted by the framing of the whole narrative in this Gospel: the birth of Jesus is celebrated by shepherds and His death is accompanied by criminals. Shepherds and criminals – two classes of people on the absolute fringe of society, not dignitaries or wise men from afar – are witness to the birth and death of Jesus.
In response to the criminal’s faith, Jesus assures him, “Today you will be with me in paradise.” There is a certainty and immediacy about the response. Jesus does not tell him that some time in the future he will be rewarded for his faith. No, it is today that the criminal will join Jesus in paradise! It is an expression of the welcome and inclusion that Jesus has extended to the outsider which was undervalued throughout His ministry. It is a clear indication that the Kingdom of God that Jesus has worked to bring about is a kingdom of inclusion and welcome.
“Today you will be with me in Paradise.” These are the words that we all long to hear, words that are empty when coming from one who has no authority, but charged with power when spoken by the one who is King over us all.
As the liturgical year of Luke comes to an end, and Christ is proclaimed the universal King, may the Good News of Luke touch our hearts bringing life, joy and peace. God bless!
Prayer for the week
O Jesus Christ, we acknowledge you as universal King.
All that has been made has been created for You.
You have shown us the way to you through service to one another.
May we see you in the broken lives as well as the breaking of bread.
Guide us in the paths of justice, mercy and peace.
Help us to build your Kingdom.
For you live and reign with God the Father,
In the unity of the Holy Spirit,
One God, for ever and ever.
AMEN
