Jesus on the cross

Our Gospel gives all leaders and truly each one of us a marvelous example of responsibility and leadership. Jesus, the Word made flesh, hails as a king, presiding from the cross, imparting forgiveness, compassion and eternal life to a notorious criminal.

With so many examples of unkindness, cruelty and harshness, bitterness and even belittling anyone who does not think and act like we do, we need to be caring, kind and forgiving, and we need to be leaders as followers of Jesus Christ.

The human urge to literally exact an eye for an eye doesn’t seem far from our words and actions of the day. It is easy to say and show by art and words that Jesus is the Alpha and Omega — the beginning and the end — and yet we need to act on that belief.

He came to testify to the truth, and so we need to speak the truth. Truth is love, forgiveness and care lived out in the name of Christ.

This is the last Sunday of our church year, called the Feast of Christ the King. The kingdom of Christ began with his coming almost 2,000 years ago and the realization that others recognize him as special.

“What kind of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

Jesus said, “You say so, I am a king. But my kingdom is not of this world.” Jesus never imposes power by force, but rather by love. Thus, as we end the church year, we are challenged to give and to be open to love.

St. Francis de Sales writes, “There is nothing so strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength.”

All the taunts yelled by his enemies at the foot of the cross are true. Jesus is derided as the chosen one, the Messiah, from God. He is the Savior of his people, who becomes savior not by saving himself but by giving his life without counting the cost.

His rising from the dead and leading others to eternal life is his leadership as king. The inscription nailed above Him on the cross says it all: “Jesus Christ, King of the Jews!”

If He is indeed also our king, we have the responsibility and challenge not to judge others or be critical and negative, but rather to be patient, kind, gentle and hopeful.

We are to see and act on the hidden goodness of all, and thus all may increase their capacity to better love God and neighbor. May the gentle and loving King, Jesus Christ, lead us all.

On Thursday of this week, we celebrate Thanksgiving Day. Take time to thank God, to visit the church, and to be grateful for all that he gives us, in particular for life, love, shelter, clothing and the beauty of our nation.

Reflect on an unexpected blessing you received and thank Him for this gift. Take time at home, and even at work, to thank people for the three things you most appreciate about them.

Allow yourself to take the example of Christ the King and practice added gratitude this year toward God and family.