Saint Rita Catholic Church and School in Webster, NY - An Introduction to the Sunday Scripture Readings

“Jesus, Remember Me When You Come Into Your Kingdom”

During this last Sunday of our liturgical year (before we begin anew with the Advent season), we are reminded of the universal sovereignty of our Lord, Jesus. This feast was commissioned by Pope Pius XI just after World War I, in a time of increasing secularity in the world. In his encyclical Quas Primas, Pope Pius XI spoke his firm hope that this feast “may hasten the return of society to our loving savior.”

In our first reading (2 Samuel 5:1-3), we hear the story of the anointing of King David by the twelve tribes of Israel. David was the forebearer and precursor of Christ, the King. It was to David that God spoke this covenant, “I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come forth from you, and I will establish His kingdom. He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of His kingdom forever.” (2 Samuel 7:12-13)

In our Epistle reading (Colossians 1:12-20), St. Paul offers a brief prayer of thanksgiving to the Father for our inheritance in the kingdom of His beloved son. Paul then proceeds to describe the sovereignty and majesty of our King, Jesus Christ. He is the “Image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation”.

In our Gospel reading (Luke 23:35-43), we hear of the Son of David, a completely different kind of King. This King is hung on a cross, mocked, reviled and spit upon. This is a King who reigns from the throne of the cross, with humility, compassion and love. This King has power no other earthly king could ever have, the power to save souls. In today’s Gospel, the criminal on the cross next to Jesus acknowledged his sins and simply asked Jesus, “remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus’ response was forgiveness and eternal salvation. This is similar to what happens in every Sacrament of Reconciliation as we acknowledge our sins and ask Jesus for forgiveness. Jesus’ response is love, forgiveness and eternal salvation.

We are reminded in this Feast of Christ the King that our Jesus is not only King of Catholics, or King of Christians, He is King of all creation - from the beginning of time to the end of time and beyond. May we proclaim His sovereignty with our daily lives.

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112325.cfm