IL DUCE

He is the image of the invisible God. — Colossians 1:15

When we think of the majority of kings throughout history, we think of rich men decked out in fur and gold who order servants around day in and day out — often wasteful, arrogant and vile.

       An example of one of these kings is the duke of fascism, Benito Mussolini. He was an Italian dictator who claimed dominion over the world in the twentieth century by using brutal force and suppressing personal liberties to create his idea of a perfect state. Also known as Il Duce (Italian for “the duke,” not “the douchebag”), it was because of him that Pope Pius XI instituted the Feast of Christ the King in 1925— as a reminder to all Christians that Christ’s Kingship in heaven trumps any ruler on earth, however humanly powerful they may be.

       As we celebrate Christ the King, let us reflect on how we share the Good News to those around us, especially those who are skeptical about our faith. Let the celebration be a reminder that lavishness, force and arrogance were never Christ’s ways for evangelizing others, although He is an all-powerful King. Ria Macasaet (ria.macasaet@gmail.com)

Reflection: Think of ways to share Christ with others without self-righteousness or force.

Lord, give me the humility to serve others in love, simplicity and acceptance.

It is true that the Lord anoints us at baptism but then bestows a further anointing in the Spirit when He calls some of us to deeper responses and obedience to His will. This is not favoring one person over another but recognizing that certain tasks and roles require additional anointing and specific graces for them to be carried out successfully. Let us be satisfied in responding to the call that God has for us rather than worrying about whether or not someone else’s calling is better than ours.

1 In those days, all the tribes of Israel came to David in Hebron and said: “Here we are, your bone and your flesh. 2 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.’” 3 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.

1 I rejoiced because they said to me, “We will go up to the house of the Lord.” 2 And now we have set foot within your gates, O Jerusalem. (R) 3 Jerusalem, built as a city with compact unity. 4 To it the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord. (R) According to the decree for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the Lord. 5 In it are set up judgment seats, seats for the house of David. (R)

This hymn in praise of the Incarnation is very beautiful and worth spending some time with in meditation. It is important that we reflect on this sort of things often, as it will help us grow in our appreciation and understanding of God’s work of salvation. This, in turn, will help us follow Him more faithfully.

12 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. 13 He delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 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. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 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. 19 For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell, 20 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.

The foolishness of those jeering at Jesus as He hangs on the cross will come back to haunt them eventually. The question I want answered is, “What do they think they are gaining by jeering at Jesus?” He is about to die, so even if He is your enemy, you have won. Where is your civility and graciousness? We should never gloat over another person’s defeat, as we never know when we might be in the same situation.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is to come!

35 The rulers sneered at Jesus and said, “He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God.” 36 Even the soldiers jeered at him. As they approached to offer him wine 37 they called out, “If you are King of the Jews, save yourself.” 38 Above him there was an inscription that read, “This is the King of the Jews.” 39 Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us.” 40 The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation?” 41 And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 He replied to him,  “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” John 19-21

think:  We should never gloat over another person’s defeat, as we never know when we might be in the same situation.

HAIL, O CHRIST THE KING!

Today we remember in a special way the King of kings and Lord of lords: Jesus Christ Himself. It’s the last Sunday of the liturgical year, and it is as if we are crowning the year with this powerful affirmation of Jesus’ majesty and kingship.

       It is said that when Julian the Apostate lay on his deathbed, he had only one thing to say. All his years of persecuting the Church as Emperor of Rome went to naught. “Thou hast conquered, O Galilean!” He could only throw up his hands in despair and surrender.

       But look at the strange conquests of Christ the King, the “Galilean.” Practically all of them were outcasts, the muck of society. We have, among others, a thief (see today’s Gospel reading); a couple of tax collectors (the repentant sinners, Matthew and Zacchaeus), and a number of foreigners (the Samaritan woman, the Syro-Phoenician lady, the Samaritan leper, the Roman centurion, etc.).

       The King’s conquest was actually already there from the start. Merely a newborn babe, yet already kicking off the unique pattern of strange conquests: shepherds (at the birth of the King), astrologers (the Magi), infants and toddlers (the so-called Holy Innocents). And then up to the end, at the Crucifixion in Calvary, it was still the same. There He was on His throne (the cross): with a crown of thorns, His title identified by a makeshift sign on the space on top of His head, and placed between two thieves.

       Of those two, one asked to be taken down, the other asked to be taken up. It is such a consoling thought that the very first one to break into heaven (with the death of Jesus on the Cross) was a poor thief. Perhaps he was never religious or spiritual at all. He gambled with probably the only prayer he ever uttered in his life, and he won. He was able to steal nothing less than salvation itself, through his sincere repentance.

       And Christ the King indeed rewarded him. So, too, will He reward us, if we remain His loyal and sincere subjects. Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB

REFLECTION QUESTION: How loyal are you to Jesus Christ, the one true King of kings?

Jesus, my Lord, my God, my King, like the “good” thief, remember me when it is my turn to leave this world.