Imitating Our Lord Jesus and Our Brothers and Sisters in Christ
Mass Readings
| 1st Reading: | 2 Samuel 5:1-3 |
|---|---|
| Responsorial: | Psalm 122:1-5 |
| 2nd Reading: | Colossians 1:12-20 |
| Gospel: | Luke 23:35-43 |
Imitating Our Lord Jesus and Our Brothers and Sisters in Christ
If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself. (Luke 23:37)
Power, influence, authority, leadership—that’s what we usually think of when we hear the word “king.” Certainly, with his soldiers and guards, a king would be able to save himself from danger. But as we celebrate the solemnity of Christ the King today, our readings show us a different kind of king, someone who challenges our core assumptions about power and leadership.
When Pope Pius XI instituted this feast in 1925, he was responding to a culture he felt was rejecting Jesus and his ways. At a time when Hitler, Mussolini, and Stalin were rising to power, Pius XI wanted to draw the world’s attention back to Jesus, the only One who could bring lasting peace. It was not the “peace” of a totalitarian ruler exercising power to eliminate opposition. It was the peace of a king who chose not to save himself but instead offered himself for our sake to reconcile us to God. This is the peace that he won for us as he poured out his very life’s blood on Calvary (Colossians 1:20).
That’s why our Gospel today presents Jesus as a king who reigns from the cross. He freely emptied himself even though, as our second reading reminds us, “in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell” (Colossians 1:19). He refused to come down from the cross because his mission was to save us, not to conquer us. He did not rise to the bait of the soldiers who goaded him to save himself (Luke 23:37). He chose instead to focus his attention on the thief crucified beside him who pleaded for mercy (23:43).
Jesus turns our concept of kingship on its head. Power made strong by humility and self-emptying. Influence and authority exercised through self-sacrifice and mercy. Leadership displayed in service. Let’s embrace Jesus and his kingdom today. Let’s pray that it be more fully established in us and through us in our world.
“Lord, thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven!”
(Many thanks to The Word Among Us (www.wau.org) for allowing us to use meditations from their monthly devotional magazine. Used with permission.)
Download a .pdf of this week’s Sunday Reflections
Sunday, November 17, 2019
Questions for Reflection or Discussion:
- In the first reading, we hear these words: In those days, all the tribes of Israel came to David in Hebron and said: “Here we are, your bone and your flesh. In days past, when Saul was our king, it was you who led the Israelites out and brought them back. And the LORD said to you, ‘You shall shepherd my people Israel and shall be commander of Israel.’” When all the elders of Israel came to David in Hebron, King David made an agreement with them there before the LORD, and they anointed him king of Israel.
- David was a shepherd who was called by God to shepherd my people Israel and the people in turn anointed him king of Israel. In what ways does the story of David parallel the calling of Jesus to be our shepherd and king?
- In what way is the call of Jesus different than the call of David?
- How frequently during the day do you focus on Jesus your shepherd and king, and what he did for you through his suffering, death, and resurrection? What steps can you take to focus on it more frequently?
- The responsorial psalm begins with these words: I rejoiced because they said to me, “We will go up to the house of the LORD.” It goes on to say that it is in the house of the Lord that we give thanks to the name of the Lord.
- Do you rejoice each week as you go to church (the house of the LORD).to celebrate Mass?
- How would you describe your attitude and disposition at Mass when we give thanks to the name of the Lord? Is this done from a heart of gratitude or sometimes just out of duty and habit?
- What are some steps you can take prior to Mass to make it a more joyful and thankful experience?
- The second reading opens with these words: Brothers and sisters: Let us give thanks to the Father, who has made you fit to share in the inheritance of the holy ones in light. He delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. It ends with these words: For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile all things for him, making peace by the blood of his cross through him, whether those on earth or those in heaven.
- How would you describe what St. Paul meant in the opening words of the reading? How important is it to you that you have been delivered from the power of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved So?
- How does knowing you share in the inheritance of the holy ones make a difference in the way you live each day?
- The ending words tell us that through Jesus has reconciled all things for him, making peace by the blood of his cross. How important are these words to you?
- Are there any family members, friends, and others with whom you need reconciliation? What can you do to make reconciliation possible?
- The Gospel reading begins with these sneering words of the rulers and the soldiers while Jesus hung on the cross. “He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God.” “If you are King of the Jews, save yourself.” It ends with these words of the thief on the cross and Jesus’ response: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
- How do the sneers of the rulers and soldiers toward Jesus reflect the prevailing view of many in today’s world?
- How do the words of the thief reflect our own hope in Jesus’ death on the cross for us? What can you do to keep Christ’s passion clearly before your mind’s eye throughout your day, especially during the busyness of the day?
- Does Jesus’ reaction to the thief hanging on the cross, who turned to him before his death, give you hope for those in your family and others who are still far from the Lord and his church? What role may the Lord be asking you to play?
- In the meditation, we hear these words: “Our Gospel today presents Jesus as a king who reigns from the cross. He freely emptied himself even though, as our second reading reminds us, ‘in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell’ (Colossians 1:19). He refused to come down from the cross because his mission was to save us, not to conquer us. He did not rise to the bait of the soldiers who goaded him to save himself (Luke 23:37). He chose instead to focus his attention on the thief crucified beside him who pleaded for mercy (23:43). Jesus turns our concept of kingship on its head. … Let’s embrace Jesus and his kingdom today. Let’s pray that it be more fully established in us and through us in our world.”
- In what ways does “Jesus turns our concept of kingship on its head”?
- What steps can you take to “embrace Jesus and his kingdom today” so that it is a greater reality in your life and in your relationship with others –and so that “it be more fully established in us and through us in our world”?
Take some time now to pray that the Kingdom of God would come and reign in a greater way in you, in your family and friends, and in all the world. Use the prayer below from the end of the meditation as a starting point.
“Lord, thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven!”
[The discussion questions were created by Maurice Blumberg, who is currently a member of the board of directors of the ChristLife Catholic Ministry for Evangelization (www.christlife.org), a member of the National Service Committee Council of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal (www.nsc-chariscenter.org), and a board member of The Love of Christ Foundation. Prior to this, Maurice was the founding executive director of the National fellowship of Catholic Men, a chairman of the board of The Word Among Us (www.wau.org), and a director of partner relations for The Word Among Us Partners ministry. He can be contacted at (Enable Javascript to see the email address) mblumberg@wau.org or mblumberg@aol.com.]
