Attributes of Christ the King

The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe | Cycle B

November 21, 2021

Readings: Click here to read full text
    Reading I: Dn 7:13-14
    Responsorial Psalm: Ps 93:1, 1-2, 5   
    Reading II: Rv 1:5-8   
    Gospel: Jn 18:33b-37

As the Liturgical Calendar ends today with the celebration of Christ the King of the Universe, the Church is teaching us that our life is a journey towards the time of the coming of the King. Through the readings, the liturgy wants us to know some attributes about Christ the King.
 
In the First Reading, Daniel’s vision reveals to us that the Son of the Man coming on the clouds received His Dominion from the Ancient One, who is the Father. He was given a kingdom that would never end, a kingdom that no power could ever destroy or defeat, and a kingdom that would be served by all peoples.
 
The Responsorial Psalm, which portrays royalty, leads us to acknowledge the supremacy of God, who is robed in splendor, strength, and power with no equal. His throne stands firm through all eternity, and His decrees are trustworthy. His palace is filled with holiness.
 
The Second Reading presents to us that Christ is the Ruler of the kings and the Alpha and Omega. His rule pre-existed before time, because He is in charge of time, the time of our salvation, the time when He frees us from our sins. The Kings’ love is everlasting; that saved us in the past, continues to save us in the present, and will save us when He comes again in the future.
 
In the Gospel, Jesus admits to Pilate that He is King but not the same as earthly kings. He said, "My kingdom does not belong to this world" (Jn. 18:36) and is not bound to time and space. His Kingdom is about the truth that the Father sent Him. And being in the truth means that we listen to Him. The Father said when Jesus was transfigured, "this is my beloved Son, listen to Him" (Lk 9:35).
 
Our liturgical life, our earthly journey towards the completion of our salvation at the Second Coming of Christ the King, must be about being God’s faithful servants who always listen to His Son, who is Christ the King.

Fr. Joel R. Lasutaz, SSS

Image credit: pixabay.com

Hang on to the Words of Christ

Friday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time, Year I

November 19, 2021

Readings (Click here to read the text)
    Reading I: 1 Mc 4:36-37, 52-59
    Responsorial Psalm: 1 Chronicles 29:10bcd, 11abc, 11d-12a, 12bcd
    Gospel: Lk 19:45-48

As we approach the end of the Liturgical Calendar, the Church leads us to reflect on the End Times when Christ will reign as the King of the Universe. The Liturgy during the whole year prepared us for this time, the time which only the Father knows.

In the Gospel of Tuesday last week, when we celebrated the Feast of the Dedication of St. John Lateran Basilica, we were reminded about giving value to the Temple that is made of stones, the Temple - that is the Body of Christ and the temple - that is the people of God, as each one is God’s Temple. This one and the same temple is what Jesus cleansed in our Gospel today. He reminded us of its purpose, that this temple is His House of Prayer.

In this Mass, Jesus gives us the only way to “stand erect and raise our heads” (Lk. 21:28) at the End Times. By giving value to God’s Holy Temple, in its entirety, as the House of Prayer where God speaks to us, by listening to Him, and by keeping His Words, we will be able to pass through the many tribulations that may come and stand tall to the end. Jesus said in last Sunday’s Gospel, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away" (Mk. 13:31). Therefore, the only way for us to “stand erect and raise our heads” at the End Times, the time of Christ the King, is by hanging on to the His Words, the Word made flesh, the Body of Christ which will never pass away.

Fr. Joel R. Lasutaz, SSS

Image credit: catholicworldreport.com

Salvation Has Come To This House

Tuesday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time 

November 16, 2021

Readings: Click here to read in full
    2 Mc 6:18-31 
    Ps 3:2-3, 4-5, 6-7
    Lk 19:1-10

Our Gospel today teaches us a lesson on how to invite salvation to come to our house. And this is filled with ironies. Zacchaeus, being the chief tax collector, was rich but powerless because he was despised by the people. He became wealthy out of the people’s poverty. He was above people’s status but he was small of stature. His name in Hebrew means "clean or pure" but he was considered impure, a sinner because of his corrupt practices of tax collection. He held himself high but was humble enough to climb a sycamore tree though it was shameful for a grown man to do so. He was not a righteous person but he was seeking Jesus.

 

It was this action of seeking Jesus and doing everything he can, even climbing a tree just to see Him that caught the attention of Jesus among so many people. With this, Jesus offered Himself to dine with Zacchaeus at his house. And of course, we see so much joy in his heart as he received Him as his guest, who later became his Host. Seeing this, the people grumbled, but Zacchaeus took this positively. The visit of Jesus transformed him from being corrupt to being generous as he gave half of his possessions to the poor and repaid 4x over those whom he extorted, from being a sinner to becoming a follower, a disciple of Jesus. He readily gave up his wealth for Jesus. He was no longer wealthy, yet he possessed a far greater wealth, Jesus. In response, Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house…" He was damned but transformed and saved.

Zacchaeus' sycamore tree in Jericho

 

This is how salvation came not only to Zacchaeus but to all his household as well. If we, like Zacchaeus, seek Jesus, humble ourselves before Him, dine with Him and receive Him, be generous with our wealth for Jesus' sake, and follow Him more closely, salvation will also come to our house.

Fr. Joel R. Lasutaz, SSS

Image credit: flickr.com