THE WORD
FIRST READING: 2 Sam 5,1-3
In those days, all the tribes of Israel came to David in Hebron, and they said: “Look! We are your bone and your flesh. In days past, when Saul was still our king, you were the one who led Israel out in all its battles and brought it back. And the LORD said to you:
You shall shepherd my people Israel; you shall be ruler over Israel.” Then all the elders of Israel came to the king in Hebron, and at Hebron King David made a covenant with them in the presence of the LORD; and they anointed David king over Israel.
SECOND READING: Col 1,12-20
Brothers and sisters:
Giving thanks to the Father, who has made you fi t to share in the inheritance of the holy ones in light. He delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things were created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he himself might be preeminent.
For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile all things for him, making peace by the blood of his cross, whether those on earth or those in heaven.
GOSPEL: Lk 23,35-43
The people stood by and watched; the rulers, meanwhile, sneered at Jesus and said, “He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Messiah of
God.” Even the soldiers jeered at him. As they approached to offer him wine they called out, “If you are King of the Jews, save yourself.” Above him there was an inscription that read, “This is the King of the Jews.”
Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us.” The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
IN OTHER WORDS
Jesus’ kingship is a contradiction. Earthly kings/queens have kingdoms; Jesus has none. People serve kings/queens; Jesus upholds service. Worldly kings/queens exercise authority and wield power; Jesus advocates meekness and humility. Earthly kings/queens are clothed with riches; Jesus embraces poverty. Worldly monarchs associate with the rich and famous; Jesus has a predilection for the poor. Earthly rulers would rather let people die for them; Jesus, however, died for all.
Kingship is not wielding power because in the process people suffer and become victims of its exercise. Kingship is not authority for others to become subservient. Kingship is not might since other people become powerless. Kingship is not dominance in that people live in fear.
Jesus exemplied what true kingship should be. Kingship is humility and service. It is seeking what is good for the other. Just like the example of Jesus, one in authority should be willing to lay down one’s life for the sake of others. The good of the other takes precedence over the interest of the self.
- Fr. Michael Layugan, SVD | DWST, Tagaytay
The Word in other words 2016
An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.
