Deacon Matt's Reflection

Reflection for Feast of Christ the King: Sunday, November 20
 
2 Sam 5:1-3: In this very brief passage, we witness a powerful event; the anointing of David as King of Israel. No uncertainty or hesitation on the part of the people is shown. They witness verbally that David has their confidence. They acknowledge him as one of them and as being at one with them when they declare: “we are your bone and your flesh.” By using these words, they also declare their loyalty and submission to David’s will… voicing willingness “to act as his flesh and bone,” or to perform or act at his command in military matters. Expressing additional trust, they recall David’s successful leadership under Saul, to underscore David’s  logical accession to the throne, as Saul’s successor. In recalling the Lord’s words to David: “You shall shepherd my people, Israel and shall be commander of Israel, they express their agreement. On this Feast of Christ the King, let’s similarly proclaim Jesus as our King and express in prayerful witness our complete confidence and trust in Jesus as our Savior, Redeemer, God and King!
 
Psalm 122: “Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.” For celebrating Christ as King, this is a uniquely appropriate psalm of thanksgiving. It conjures a pilgrimage to the Temple, or to the dwelling place of our own dear God and King. As the Church year ends, we anticipate eternity. We’ll hopefully be worshipping and praising Jesus, as King, forever and ever as we enter our Heavenly dwelling places. This psalm can be interpreted as celebrating both the Jewish Temple and our Heavenly home. The psalmist calls us to worship and thank God; to bow down and acknowledge God’s leadership, authority and judgment over us. God’s   justice, fairness, mercy and love give us a lot to rejoice over!
 
Col 1:12-20:  Consistent with our other readings, Paul calls us to  acquire an attitude of thankfulness and gratitude to God for His    extravagant love, kindness, generosity and mercy toward us; His adopted children. Paul beckons us to worship and adore Jesus as our God, as our Savior and as our Redeemer. On today’s feast, we’re all called to approach our King and our God with reverent repentance; confessing our sins and asking forgiveness, humbly and sincerely.    As David was recognized as “bone of our flesh” by the people, Paul recognizes Jesus as “head of the body (the Church)”… a similar metaphor to express the unity and intimacy of our relationship with Jesus. Paul also refers to Jesus as “firstborn from the dead.” This alludes to Jesus’ pre-eminence as the first person to be   resurrected from the dead; with all faithful Christians to follow Him. Jesus has reconciled us to God, by His Sacrifice of Himself on the Cross.
 
Luke 23:35-43: This passage may seem incongruous with today’s other readings that are so full of rejoicing, worship and celebration of our King’s glory, strength and awesome power. However, reconsider the scene:
 
Albeit, sarcastically, there’s a sign above Jesus’ head, proclaiming Him as “King of the Jews.” Time and eternal truth have validated the correctness and appropriateness of that sign’s having been there. What was intended to insult and mock Jesus, instead proclaims truth: Jesus truly is King of the Jews and all saved souls. The repentant thief now leads us. He confesses his guilt, receives Jesus’ forgiveness and he’s immediately welcomed into Paradise; that very day! Let’s all  follow this good example by confessing our sins, asking forgiveness and trusting in our King’s infinite mercy and love to save us!
 
Trustingly,
 
Deacon Matt