GOSPEL

November 20, 2016 (Sunday) Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus, Christ the King Psalter: Proper/(White) Ps 122:1-2, 3-4, 4-5 Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

1st Reading: 2 S 5:1-3

All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “We are your bone and flesh. In the past, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led Israel. And Yahweh said to you, ‘You shall be the shepherd of my people Israel and you shall be commander over Israel.’” Before Yahweh, king David made an agreement with the elders of Israel who came to him at Hebron, and they anointed him king of Israel.

2nd Reading: Col 1:12-20

Constantly give thanks to the Father, who has empowered us to receive our share in the inheritance of the saints, in his kingdom of light. He rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son. In him, we are redeemed and forgiven.

He is the image of the unseen God and for all creation, he is the firstborn, for, in him, all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible: thrones, rulers, authorities, powers... All was made through him and for him. He is before all and all things hold together, in him.

And he is the head of the body, that is the Church, for he is the first, the first raised from the dead, that he maybe the first in everything, for God was pleased to let fullness dwell in him.

Through him, God willed to reconcile all things to himself, and through him, through his blood shed on the cross, God establishes peace, on earth as in heaven.

Gospel: Lk 23:35-43

The people stood by, watching. As for the rulers, they jeered at him, saying to one another, “Let the man who saved others now save himself, for he is the Messiah, the chosen one of God!”

The soldiers also mocked him and, when they drew near to offer him bitter wine, they said, “So you are the King of the Jews? Save yourself!” Above Jesus there was an inscription in Greek, Latin and Hebrew, which read, “This is the King of the Jews.”

One of the criminals hanging with Jesus insulted him, “So you are the Messiah? Save yourself, and us as well!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Have you no fear of God, you who received the same sentence as he did? For us it is just: This is payment for what we have done. But this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me, when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus replied, “In truth I tell you, today, you will be with me today in paradise.”

Reflection:

Read: This is the King of the Jews.

Reflect: Those who wrote the inscription on the cross wanted to make a joke at the expense of Jesus. Yet they were only stating the truth. Christ is really a king, not only of the Jews but of the whole universe. But he is a king of love.

Pray: Let us tell the crucified Christ that we want no other king but him.

Act: Today buy yourself a small ornamental cross and wear it proudly. Claretian Communications Foundation Inc.; 8 Mayumi Street, UP Village, Diliman, 1101 Quezon City; Tel.: (02) 921-3984, 922-9806; Fax: (02) 921-6205; e-mail: www.claretianpublications.com/ cci@claret.org;