The story is told about a patient who told his doctor that he had followed his advice that he keep his windows open when he sleeps—and that indeed, his asthma is gone. “But why are you so sad?” asked the doctor. The patient replied: “Yes, Doctor, my asthma is gone, but so are my laptop, my cell phone, and my TV set!”
Today is the Solemnity of Christ, the King of the Universe. In today’s Gospel (Lk. 23, 35-43), we learn how Christ our King suffered not only a painful but also a poor and pitiful death. He was laughed at, sneered at, insulted and jeered as He hung on the cross. All respect, honor, dignity were gone when He died. But today, He is still our King, and He is alive!
May Christ, our lowly and humble King, remind us that we who are criticized, persecuted and humiliated now will also be justified and exalted someday if we persevere in our allegiance to Him and to the Gospel values of His Kingdom. There is divine justice. The good will be rewarded and the evil will be punished. Each one of us will have our day of reckoning with Christ our King.
“The rulers sneered at Jesus.” They did it then, and they still do now. Some people, when they become drunk with fame and power, begin to think and really believe that they are God, and even speak and act like one. History has shown that the most powerful men and women are soon forgotten and gone, but Christ our King lives on. Rulers, be not proud.
“The soldiers jeered at him.” They did it then, and they still do now. Some people, when they are given the power, abuse it to persecute the little ones and those who have no voice. May those who are empowered by the law, and who enforce it, be fair, humane and kind. Remember, your power will be gone sooner or later. But Christ the King, to whom you are accountable, lives on. Soldiers and law enforcers, be not proud.
“Now, one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus.” Many people who are deep in sin and vice revile Jesus. Why? Because of desperation or hopelessness, or simply because of pride. But the other criminal who was crucified along with Jesus took the road of humility and said: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” Yes, we sinners, we must not be proud.
“Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” These are the sweetest words we hope to hear when we breathe our last. At that point in time, it really doesn’t matter anymore what people say about us. All that matters then is that we will meet our King, and say to Him: “Mission accomplished!” And He will tell us: “Come in!”
When is that “today”? We do not know when our King will call us, so we must be ready, but let not this fear freeze us and “kill” us even before we die. Are there some “dead spots” in our lives? Are there some bad habits, bad relationships, bad attitudes, and bad memories that are poisoning us and slowly killing us? Today we pray to Christ our King: “Lord, set us free! We want to belong to Thee!”
Bantay Matanda invites you to a lay forum on Alzheimer’s disease at the Tuklong ni San Jose, Christ the King Seminary, E. Rodriguez Blvd., Quezon City, on Nov. 26, 9 a.m.-12 noon. For inquiries, please call (02) 373-2262, (02) 998-2458, or 0917-4167849
Inviting you to the 29th Eucharistic Congress also on Nov. 26 at St. Joseph’s Convent, 71 M. Hemady St., Quezon City, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. The speakers are Fr. Raymund Festin, SVD, and Fr. Jose Quilongquilong, SJ. There will be a procession, benediction, and Mass by Most Rev. Honesto Ongtioko, DD, bishop of the Diocese of Cubao. For inquiries, please call 0943-2344121, 0917-5345127, or (02) 722-8828
Today is the last Sunday of the liturgical year. Next Sunday is the First Sunday of Advent already. Today is also the closing of the extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy, but let it not be the end of our gratitude to God for His mercy. May we continue our corporal and spiritual works of mercy. As the Lord has been kind to us, may we be kind to others who journey with us to God’s Kingdom and to God’s heart.
A moment with the Lord:
Lord, remember us when You come to Your Kingdom. Amen.