34th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C - 20/11/2016 - Gospel: Lk 23:35-43
Everlasting kingdom
In the pass Jesus was rejected by his own chosen people and today he is continued to be rejected by people around the world. He was horribly crucified on the cross and died amongst the thieves. People often don't believe in his teachings but they use his teaching to make point in their arguments. Three days after his death God raised him up and he is the king of truth and of peace and of love. As king of truth Jesus revealed the identity of God and those on the side of truth listened to him Jn 18,38. Peace was the first gift he gave his disciples after rising from death Jn 20,20. He became the king of love because he died for his friends
A man can have no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends Jn 15,13.
During his public ministry several times people wanted him to be their king; each time he escaped from them. However, during his trial he answered Pilate that
Yes, I am a king. I was born for this, I came into the world for this, to bear witness for the truth Jn 18,38.
At the time no one would believe the voice of the dying man that one day he would be king. They knew that his death was eminent because his enemies were about to condemn him to death. As he had said three days later he would rise from the dead and became king of the entire cosmos. His resurrection renews everything in him. Jesus reconciled to God to save us from damnation. Reconciliation happened when he asked
Father, forgive them, they don't know what they are doing. Luke 23,34
A thief was the first person to enjoy this forgiveness when he made a plea to him and Jesus assured him eternal life Jn 19,18.
Apart from death on the cross and the crucifixion Jesus had personal experienced of being humiliated and criticized in public; being tempted and rejected and betrayal. He was hungry and thirsty. He was whipped and slapped. Jesus understands our problems and suffering when we talk to him about it because he has gone through it all in his life. He had deep feelings for the poor and identified their sadness as his own. He understood the loneliness when his friends run away. After the resurrection he went to find them and filled their heart with his love and grace; hope and consolation; courage and optimism.
The more suffering he had the firmer the bond he had for the Father and nothing could break that bond as we heard before his death
Father, into your hands I commit my Spirit. Luke 23,46
We learn from Jesus, when trouble comes turn to Jesus and let him look at us and hear his voice. He has been through all this and has transformed them into glory. Through suffering Jesus unlocked the way to the Father and God's grace is poured into our heart that will destroy hopelessness, and fear melted. With this hope in God we can bring hope for the hopeless and be voices for the voiceless and strength for the weary. When we do that we show the world the face of God's mercy.
A man can have no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends Jn 15,13.
During his public ministry several times people wanted him to be their king; each time he escaped from them. However, during his trial he answered Pilate that
Yes, I am a king. I was born for this, I came into the world for this, to bear witness for the truth Jn 18,38.
At the time no one would believe the voice of the dying man that one day he would be king. They knew that his death was eminent because his enemies were about to condemn him to death. As he had said three days later he would rise from the dead and became king of the entire cosmos. His resurrection renews everything in him. Jesus reconciled to God to save us from damnation. Reconciliation happened when he asked
Father, forgive them, they don't know what they are doing. Luke 23,34
A thief was the first person to enjoy this forgiveness when he made a plea to him and Jesus assured him eternal life Jn 19,18.
Apart from death on the cross and the crucifixion Jesus had personal experienced of being humiliated and criticized in public; being tempted and rejected and betrayal. He was hungry and thirsty. He was whipped and slapped. Jesus understands our problems and suffering when we talk to him about it because he has gone through it all in his life. He had deep feelings for the poor and identified their sadness as his own. He understood the loneliness when his friends run away. After the resurrection he went to find them and filled their heart with his love and grace; hope and consolation; courage and optimism.
The more suffering he had the firmer the bond he had for the Father and nothing could break that bond as we heard before his death
Father, into your hands I commit my Spirit. Luke 23,46
We learn from Jesus, when trouble comes turn to Jesus and let him look at us and hear his voice. He has been through all this and has transformed them into glory. Through suffering Jesus unlocked the way to the Father and God's grace is poured into our heart that will destroy hopelessness, and fear melted. With this hope in God we can bring hope for the hopeless and be voices for the voiceless and strength for the weary. When we do that we show the world the face of God's mercy.
Written by Fr Vũđình Tường
St Francis Xavier Catholic Parish
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane Australia
St Francis Xavier Catholic Parish
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane Australia