Today’s Thoughts: The Feast of Christ the King has never been one of my favorite feasts/ solemnities. I think it is because kings have never really been a present and positive image for me during my lifetime. I would assume like most if not all of us here have grown up in the age and culture of democracy. Kings and kingdoms seem to be part of the past. I have read about kings and kingdoms. I have studied them in history and geography course throughout my schooling.
Over the course of history one can find both positive and negative images, stories and experiences of kings, queens, and kingdoms, however from a personal perspective they have not been part of my life experience. Truth be told, kings and kingdoms for me often symbolize a time when ordinary people carried the burdens of life, and there always seemed to be a great divide between the “haves” and the “have nots!” Now to be fair the democracy that I have encountered has not always been fair or perfect either. So, as we celebrate this solemnity of Christ the King how might I, how might we look at our feast today in a positive way. Well, our three readings present to us three pictures, snap shots of the kingship of Jesus that we celebrate today. In our first reading from the Second Book of Samuel we are presented with what we might call a political statement. Perhaps not something we want to consider given our political times, but the reading is a snapshot of a moment in the Davidic kingdom, a kingdom that was divided, when David brings the two kingdoms of Israel together under his leadership as a “shepherd king.” It is from David’s line that Jesus will come into the world. But unlike David, Jesus will not a political leader, he will not be a soldier king, warrior king, he will not restore Israel to its greatness, in the world order. He will invite us to be his bone and flesh as part of the Body of Christ our Shepherd. Our second reading from St. Paul’s Letter to the Colossians provide us with a theological understanding of Jesus as King. Everything has been reconciled in Jesus. He is the center of who we are as people of faith. He is the invisible God made visible. He is the Good Shepherd, who always looks after his sheep. Finally, in our Gospel today we encounter not a political king or a theological king but our human king. Early on in Pope Francis’ time as pope he provided us with an image of leadership. He told priests that in their faith communities they should be shepherds marked by “the smell of the sheep.” Repeatedly in the Gospels Jesus is presented to us a Shepherd king who is marked by the smell of his sheep. Whether it is the smell of tax collectors, religious leaders, lepers, demoniacs, women at wells or women brought before him in shame, people gathered around a table for a meal, disciples who don’t understand, close friends who deny, betray and even run away at a profound moment of need in his life or like in today’s Gospel a criminal. Our Gospel reminds us today that Jesus is our “Shepherd King,” who was willing to go all the way to death on the Cross and beyond for us! And that there is no moment in our journey of life when Jesus is not willing to listen, forgive guide and welcome, us into God’s Kingdom. Perhaps, as we celebrate this solemnity, this feast of Jesus Christ King of the Universe, we might pause to remember with gratitude – the mercy, compassion, forgiveness and love that Jesus Christ our Shepherd King is always willing to offer us. Jesus is the true Shepherd who took on our nature, our smell – so that we might have the opportunity to be not only remembered but welcomed into the Paradise of eternal life. Have a blessed, holy and faith filled Sunday everyone and don’t forget to give God a little time today!
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Fr. Paul R. Fagan, C.P. "Preacher on the Run"Just a few thoughts to help you on your journey through life...let me know from time to time what you think... Archives
April 2024
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