Sunday, November 25, 2007

Servant King & Good Thief

Many Christians celebrate today as the Solemnity of Christ the King and the last Sunday of the liturgical year. On this day, we remember Jesus' heavenly kingship.

The Gospel at Mass shows Christ at the height of what perhaps could be called his servant kingship -- the hours he spent hanging on the Cross. The passage also gives us the "Good Thief" -- whose dialogue with Jesus has given hope to men and women for centuries.

From Luke Chapter 25:

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? And 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."

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