Christ, our King

Sharing with you this interesting conversation between a man and a woman before their marriage:

Man: I have been waiting for this day.

Woman: Do you want me to leave?

Man: No!

Woman: Do you love me?

Man: Of course!

Woman: Will you cheat on me?

Man: Never in my life!

Woman: Will you kiss me?

Man: Every chance I get.

Woman: Will you ever hit me?

Man: Are you crazy?

Woman: Can I trust you?

Man: Yes!

Woman: Sweetheart!

Now, read it from the bottom upward. Will that likely be their conversation after 20 years of marriage?

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Today is the Solemnity of Christ the King, the King of the universe. In today’s Gospel (Jn. 18, 33b-37), Jesus reminds us that we, His subjects, must remain loyal and faithful to Him until the very end: “Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to My voice.” As we journey on in life, in this noisy world so full of lies and distractions, let us continue to faithfully listen to His voice. Stay focused. Christ is our King!

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The Apec summit in Manila last week was a showcase of worldly power. It was a gathering of leaders from very rich and not so rich countries. It was also a display of the privileged and the not so privileged, the chosen and the forgotten, the greater gods among us, and the lesser gods that are us. Through it all, may we not forget that there is One who is the greatest among us—Christ, our King—to remind us that all worldly power and wealth will pass. Let us not be awed by those who have everything. We owe them nothing. Only Christ is our King!

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Let us learn from Christ, our King. With all His power and might, He humbled Himself for the sake of His mission for His Father. Let us learn to be humble no matter how rich, powerful, intelligent, holy, or popular we become. Jesus also was confident of who He was, not threatened by anything or by anyone in His “helplessness” and poverty. We, too, must not lose our sense of worth in the face of poverty and deprivation. We must be strong in our faith that there is a God who loves us, who provides for us, and who protects us.

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Today is the last Sunday of the Church’s liturgical year. Next Sunday is the start of the Advent season. We are reminded today that everything will come to an end. Our life will come to an end someday. But it is not a dead end, but a fruitful end—full of hope and promise because it all ends in the Resurrection, and Christ’s second coming. Let us make the last stretch of our journey, not in fear and trembling, but with hope and thanksgiving.

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“Did I fill the world with love?” This line from a song of yesteryear sums up the most basic question we should ask ourselves as we journey on in life. This is the question that Christ the King will ask each one of us when we come face to face with Him someday. Yes, let us prepare, let us be ready to meet our King!

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We pray for our government leaders and officials for them to remember that they will make an accounting before our King someday. “To whom much is given, much is also required.” Yes, those who regard themselves as kings or queens in this world, and act accordingly, will have a lot of explaining to do before Christ, our King.

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“All for Christ, my King!” All of us should constantly offer to Christ the King everything we do or go through. Even those, and especially those, who go through trials, persecution, sickness and suffering can offer everything to Him. Of course, we can also offer to Him whatever achievements or blessings we have in this life.

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What is it that you can offer to Christ the King today? Who are those you would like to offer to Christ the King today? Are there any areas of your life that need the healing, the kingship, of Christ the King? “Today, if you hear His voice, harden not your heart.”

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Fr. Willy Villegas, SVD, of Tanauan, Batangas, has gone home to Christ, his King, whom he served as a priest for 47 years. Father Willy and his five brothers entered the seminary, but only he was chosen. He was a formator with a doctorate in Biblical studies. He used his brilliant mind to teach and form seminarians, and to make the Bible understandable to lay people. For his King, he suffered in silence, and remained joyful in spite of his pain and suffering. Mission accomplished, he went home to meet his King last Nov. 15.

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Our latest book, “Journey Moments,” a collection of stories, jokes, insights and personal experiences, is now available in National Bookstore and other book stores. Please consider it as a Christmas gift this year, to help spread the Word, and to help our missionaries. For inquiries, please contact 7217457; Nida: 09178376540; or e-mail mo1053@gmail.com.

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Bantay Matanda invites you to a lay forum, “Do’s and Don’ts of Caregiving,” on Nov. 28 at Tuklong San Jose, Christ the King Seminary, E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue, Quezon City, 9 a.m.-12 noon. For details, please call 3732262, 9982548, or 09174167849.

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A moment with the Lord:

Lord, You are our King! We need not fear anyone or anything. Amen.