Reflection for Christ the King, Solemnity, November 20, 2022

Father Rick’s Gospel Reflection for Christ the King, Solemnity, November 20, 2022
Luke 23:35-43 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112022.cfm
Please take a moment to read and pray over the gospel.

What Do You See?

The first thing that jumps into my mind when I hear the word “king” is a life of luxury, with servants waiting on your every need. I think of the pageantry and parades, the best seats at dinners with the dignitaries.

Wow! How shocking to hear in the gospel our King, Jesus, hanging on a cross between two thieves. St. Luke says, “The people stood by and watched.” What did they see? The soldiers and rulers, even one of the thieves, saw a fool and mocked Jesus.

People like us, who heard St. Luke’s Gospel before he wrote it understood the word “watch” to mean “contemplation.” I begin my adoration each morning by looking at the cross. What do I see? I see a woman lying on her bed yesterday, waiting for Jesus to call her home.

I see a sinner crying over his sins for many years, realizing he has forgotten God in many selfish acts. I see someone fighting off their drug addiction and losing again.

I see people depressed and angry and others in car accidents ending up in the emergency room. I see a mother and father grieving over their lost son, someone innocently murdered. The list goes on forever.

In all these tragic moments in people’s lives, I see Jesus hanging His Cross, a king with a crown of thorns, agonizing over every human being in the history of humanity.

Gospel Challenge:
It is so easy to be one of the crowd mocking Jesus on His cross when we encounter Him in the sufferings of others. Jesus gets past who deserves what and bears the pain behind a person’s bad behavior. Join the good thief and remember Jesus when He brings suffering humanity into His Kingdom.

IGNITE THE FIRE.

God bless you, my friends.

Fr. Rick Pilger, I.C.
www.bscchurch.com

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