Reading 1
2 Sm 5:1-3
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.
Ps 122:1-2, 3-4, 4-5
Responsorial PsalmR. (cf. 1)
Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
I rejoiced because they said to me,
"We will go up to the house of the LORD."
And now we have set foot
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Jerusalem, built as a city
with compact unity.
To it the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
According to the decree for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
In it are set up judgment seats,
seats for the house of David.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Reading 2
Col 1:12-20
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.
He is the image of the invisible God,
the firstborn of all creation.
For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth,
the visible and the invisible,
whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers;
all things were created through him and for him.
He is before all things,
and in him all things hold together.
He is the head of the body, the church.
He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead,
that in all things he himself might be preeminent.
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.
Gospel
Lk 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?
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."
Meditation: Colossians 1:12-20
Christ the King
He … transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son. (Colossians 1:13)
History is filled with fallen monarchs whose reigns were characterized by selfishness and bloodshed. They built luxurious palaces while their subjects struggled in poverty. They isolated themselves by building walls and hiring bodyguards. And they dealt with neighboring countries with greedy brutality.
If this is what we expect in a king, it’s no surprise we find it hard to bow before Jesus. He held no political office. He led no army. He doesn’t present himself as a dictator who tramples on our liberty and demands blind obedience. He uses neither force nor guilt to maintain his rule. He doesn’t have to.
At the Last Supper, Jesus revealed his plan to take over the world. And what secret weapon did he have in his arsenal? Love. It could appear to be insignificant and powerless, but look at the history of the church. Divine love has conquered millions of people, restored millions of people, and inspired millions of people. It has sustained multitudes of saints and converted multitudes of sinners. Love changes history.
Compared to the fallen monarchs that have dotted the landscape of history, the kingship of Christ is different not in intensity but in kind. Jesus is armed with love and virtue, not guns and swords. He wears not a crown of jewels but of thorns. He blesses those who persecute him and prays for those who mistreat him. He turns the other cheek, and he calls us to do the same.
Am I a loyal subject of Christ the King? Do I imitate him by sowing love to those around me? On the eve of a new liturgical season, today is a great day to start anew. No matter what you have done, no matter where you have been, Christ will welcome you into his kingdom. Let him be your King.
“Jesus Christ, King of heaven and earth, I want to love you more each day. Come and make me into the person you want me to be.”
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Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion
(2 Samuel 5:1-3, Psalm 122:1-5, Colossians 1:12-20, Luke 23:35-43)
1. In the first reading, the Lord calls David to be a shepherd of his people, Israel. The people in turn, “anointed him king of Israel.” Similarly, Jesus is our shepherd and king, but not one who forces our love and devotion. Jesus has earned it by what he has done for us. How frequently during the day you focus on what Jesus did for you through his suffering, death, and resurrection? What steps can you take to focus on it more frequently?
2. The responsorial psalm speaks of the joy of being in 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.” How would you describe your attitude and disposition at Mass? What can you do to make it a more joyful and thankful experience?
3. Paul’s letter to the Colossians tells us that in Christ, we have been made “fit to share in the inheritance of the holy ones in light.” Take a moment and put into your own words what you believe that “inheritance” is. In what ways does knowing that you possess such a great inheritance make a difference in the way you live each day?
4. Paul also speaks forcefully of Jesus’ role in reconciling us and making peace. The end of the Church year is a good time to take stock of your relationships with Christ and others. Are there family members, friends, co-workers, acquaintances, etc. with whom you need reconciliation? What can you do to make reconciliation possible?
5. The scenes in today’s Gospel were vividly portrayed in the movie, “The Passion.” Many saints have urged us to keep Christ’s passion clearly before our mind’s eye throughout our day. What can you do to make that happen, especially in light of the busyness of our days?
6. The meditation poses these two questions: “Am I a loyal subject of Christ the King? Do I imitate him by sowing love to those around me?” How would you answer these? What steps can you take to allow Jesus’ kingship over you to be a greater reality in your life?
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