Dear Brothers and Sisters,
This week, we celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. The readings this week speak of kingship (2 Sm 5:1-3/Ps 122:1-2, 3-4, 4-5/Col 1:12-20/Lk 23:35-43). We think of kings taking power from others through coercion or by force.
Jesus ushered in his kingdom not through force but through love, by appealing to the hearts of people—a kingdom that will not be brought through revolution, but through the conversion of hearts. By His death on the cross, Jesus reveals His Kingship not by saving His life, but by offering it as a ransom for ours. He transfers us to “the Kingdom of His beloved Son,” as this week’s second reading tells us.
Do you belong to his kingdom? Does Christ reign in your heart? Let us today re-commit our heart to Christ the King. If he truly reigns in our hearts, then our actions will be Christ-like. The good thief in the Gospel reading, shows us how we are to accept the salvation and membership in the Kingdom that Jesus offers us. He confesses his sins, acknowledges he deserves to die for them. And He calls on the name of Jesus, seeking His mercy and forgiveness. As we do this, let us give Jesus more control over our lives. Let Him truly reign in our heart. When we do this, He will truly be our King and His peace and love will be ours. In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus says, “come to me all you who labor and are burdened and I will give you rest…” It is only in Him that we can truly have rest for our hearts. Let us obey the law of love and mercy because that is what governs in the kingdom of Christ.
God Bless,
Deacon Howard
