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Deacon Greg 11-20-22

Today is the Feast of Christ the King, the end of another Liturgical Year. In the past year, we’ve walked this Sunday-to-Sunday journey with the Gospel of Luke. A year ago, on the first Sunday of Advent, our walk began with this advice from our Lord as witnessed in Luke’s 21st chapter:

“Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and stand before the Son of Man (Luke 21: 35)

Today, on this last step of our journey this year, we hear from the Good Thief, St. Dismas, who did indeed stand before the Lord, the Son of Man, as he hung on his own cross next to him, simply asking Jesus to remember him.

Our bookends of this past year are simple… Be strong, be close to the Lord in prayer, and be ready to stand before the Lord with the faith of a converted heart.

For Luke, the Son of Man is “The King,” as is evident in Pilate’s referring to him as King on the sign that hung over Jesus’ head as he hung upon the Cross, and in the Good Thief’s request to come into HIS KINGDOM.

The Lord Jesus Christ is most surely our sovereign king!

To set up today’s Good News, I’d like to offer this passage from the Book of Hebrews: “The Lord is my helper, [and] I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?” Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith… [As] Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrew 13: 6-8)

JESUS, YESTERDAY…

In today’s first reading we hear about the anointing of King David and the charge to him that, “You shall shepherd my people Israel and shall be commander of Israel." Starting next week, as we begin again, a new liturgical year, we’ll begin to once again meditate on the firm foundation that God has given to us… A foundation rooted in love and mercy and family and descendants. We are the children of Abraham, and from the stump of Jesse and House of King David will come a savior who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

In fact, today’s Psalm on this last Sunday of the liturgical year is the same as next Sunday’s Psalm on the first Sunday of the new liturgical year… “Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.” Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith… WE STAND FIRM ON THE FOUNDATION OF THIS HOUSE… WE LIVE OUR LIVES IN THE HOPE THAT WE ARE INDEED HEADING HOME TO THIS HOUSE… A DWELLING PLACE NOT MADE WITH HANDS, BUT RATHER BY THE LORD HIMSELF.

JESUS, TODAY…

In our second reading today, St. Paul reminds the Colossians of who our Lord IS in our present journey:
  • He is the image of the invisible God…
  • The Word made flesh; the son of God sent to save us!
  • He is the beginning, before all things, and in him all things hold together…
  • The Alpha and the Omega… The one who truly connects us with God our loving father, and the power of the Holy Spirit!
  • He is the head of the body, the church…
  • The Lord IS our helper and shepherd, and there is nothing we shall want! He has given us the Church to share Good News and feed the poor… In oh so many ways!
  • He is the Lord, and through him all are reconciled, and all are forgiven, bringing us peace by the blood of his cross…
JESUS, FOREVER…

Which brings us back to St. Dismas, investing his whole flawed self and his eternal salvation into the hands of our Lord and King: "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Please focus on this cross and say this again with me: "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."

"Amen, [the Lord says to you,] today you will be with me in Paradise."

So let us rejoice and continue our journey up to the house of the LORD!

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