Sunday Reflections
34th Sunday of Year C
Solemnity of Christ the King of the universe
You too can be a king
✠ A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke 23:35-43
The rulers sneered at Jesus and said, “He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God.”
Even the soldiers jeered at him. As they approached to offer him wine, they called out, “If you are King of the Jews, save yourself.”
Above him, there was an inscription that read, “This is the King of the Jews.”
Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us.”
The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation?
Indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.”
Then he said, “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.”
1. Today is the last Sunday of the liturgical year C. Next Sunday will be the first Sunday of Advent. The readings today speak of kings and their roles in the life of their people. In the first reading, the people came to ask David to be their king so that he could continue to protect them by fighting their wars(2Sam5:1-3). This underscores the major role of a leader, namely, the protection of his people against their enemies. David was described as a man of blood because he did all he could to remain faithful to the duty of protecting his people against their enemies. Unlike our political leaders who prefer verbal defence of their lack of political will to do their duty, David preferred to deal with the enemies with his sword. Our leaders condemn crimes but dine with the criminals responsible for the crimes.
2. The gospel presents us with a leader who accepted death for the liberation of his subjects. Jesus hanging on the cross was described by his death sentence as the King of the Jews. That was his offence. He dared to protect his people. Hanging on the cross for the sole reason of wanting to save his people, he was tormented till the last moment. Around him at the cross were two categories of people: the mockers (the priests, the soldiers, and one of the two thieves) and the supporter (the Good Thief). The priests, the soldiers, and one of the thieves are in the same group. They are the tempters, the instrument of the enemy, to continue enslaving the people of God. They taunted him. But he gave no single response to their mockery. He remained royal, not paying attention to trifles. A true king does not go to battle with everyone who challenges him. Not everyone is worth the fight of a king. Jesus knows whom to fight, and he fought him (devil) to the last.
3. Jesus was crucified between two criminals. One of them joined the priests and the soldiers in disparaging Jesus. To him, too, Jesus gave no response. He is not worth the battle. One of them, however, proved to be on the side of truth and different from the tempters. He was able to recognize the king hanging on the cross. He was wise enough to know that life does not end with physical death. He knew that the journey of life would continue after death. He knew that Jesus had a kingdom that would last forever. Instead of mocking Jesus, he opted to affirm his faith in Jesus and in his kingdom. He asked Jesus to remember him in his kingdom. It was only to this man that Jesus considered a response. “Today, you will be with me in paradise.” This man, by recognizing the king hidden in the dying Jesus, was to become the first person to enter heaven after Jesus opened the door that has been shut through the sin of Adam. By promising him a place in his kingdom, Jesus affirms his response to Pilate while standing trials when Pilate asks whether he was a king: “My kingdom is not of this world.” He affirms that he is a king.
4. Jesus is a king who fights for his subjects to the point of accepting to die for them. One who comes that his subjects will have life in abundance (Jn10:10). On the cross, Jesus fought the enemy of humanity to a standstill and made a public show of him (Col2:14). The enemy used his last energy to frustrate Jesus’ mission. First, he pushed people to kill him, thinking that he would resist death. Then, when he saw that Jesus was determined to die on the cross, he realized that if Jesus dies on the cross and rises again, his hold on humanity will be destroyed. He therefore used the priests, those who claimed to be near to God, to make him abandon his mission: “if you are the son of God come down from the cross and we shall believe in you.” It was a big temptation, but Jesus the king knows when to keep quiet and when to take action. That is an attitude worthy of a king.
5. Jesus accepted to die so that the door of paradise will never again be closed to humanity (Col1:12-20). He said to all who care to hear him: “I have transfered you from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light” Our celebration today is both a reminder of our status and a challenge to all in leadership position, especially now in our country where terror has taken the centre stage. David fought for his people. Jesus died for humanity. Our Président, Governors, senators, and others in leadership positions must be ready to do the same to save Nigeria. We have been saturated with man-made bad news that our mental health is in constant stress. If our leaders continue to play the ostrich, we, the sons and daughters of the king, must be ready to imitate our king. We must accept to die standing rather than kneeling. Christ, our king did not die on his knees. We must learn from our king not to waste our blows on minor enemies by responding to every word spoken against us. We must learn to accept only the battles that are worth the sword of a prince. Let us begin today to behave like our king: fearless, focus and self-sacrificing, having a paradise comportment.
