########################################################################## # If Goanet stops reaching you, contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # Want to check the archives? http://www.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet/ # # Please keep your discussion/tone polite, to reflect respect to others # ##########################################################################
15-11-04 Dear Friend, Most people try to exercise some influence and control over others either -openly or in subtle ways. Leaders and politicians strive to exercise power -in the hope that people will accept their views and ways of acting. When -people who have authority refuse to exercise it they can exercise even -greater influence. Today's feast reminds us of Jesus who was born as a -powerless infant and left the world refusing to save himself. Yet Jesus is -proclaimed as Christ our King. How do we as Christians show loyalty to him? -Have an insightful weekend! Fr. Jude Sunday Reflections: Thirty Fourth Sunday of the Year This is the King of the Jews! 21-11-04 Readings: 2 Samuel 5:1-3; Colossians 1: 11-20; Luke 23: 35-43; The first reading, from the second book of Samuel speaks of David being anointed king of Israel. King David had come a long way from tending sheep to being King. He was a shepherd boy from Bethlehem before he was called to the courts of King Saul. He showed that he was more than a musician when he slew the giant Goliath and distinguished himself in battle. But King Saul grew jealous of David and tried to kill him so David became a fugitive. Only after the death of Saul was David made king. David had his eye on the northern tribes and their territory. In today's reading we are reminded that when David traveled to the north to make an agreement with the tribes, their leaders remind him: "We are your own flesh and blood. With his kingship established, kingship is conferred. David's reign had become a model and the image of a shepherd king best describes him. The Israelites hoped that someday there would be another shepherd king like their beloved king David. That is why the Church chooses this reading for this feast to suggest that Jesus of the line of David is that other great king. That man died for you In April 1865, the slain body of President Abraham Lincoln lay in state for a few hours in Cleveland, Ohio. It was on its final journey from the nation's capital to Springfield, Illinois. In the long line up of people filing by the body was a poor black woman and her little son. When the two reached the president's body, the woman lifted up her son and said in a hushed voice: "Honey take a good long look. That man died for you." What that black mother said to her child can be said about Jesus by every mother of every child. Pointing to the body of Jesus on the crucifix, she can say: "Honey, take a long, long look. That man died for you." And so Jesus is the King of Kings. He is the King of Kings not only because of who he is but because of what he did. Mark Link in 'Sunday Homilies' In the second reading Paul is writing to the Colossians to remind them of their loyalty to Christ. There were at the time some who were not satisfied with ordinary Christianity, they wanted something more sophisticated, more intellectual, more exclusive. Paul argues against that. God alone rules the world and Christ and those who believe in him, share his mastery over the world. Referring to the ancient custom of the victor nation transporting entire defeated populations to their own country, Paul reminds us that Jesus has transferred us from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of God. The letter goes on to share an awareness of Jesus as the king and judge of this world. Whereas all human beings are made in the image of God, he alone is the actual fullness of God. He is the beginning and the end of creation and He alone hold the world together. While the first two readings exalt Jesus as king because he was a descendant of David, the first king of Judea, the Gospel presents a very different picture of a lowly king, who is 'exalted' on the cross between two thieves. In fact his kingship is very different from our notion of King. What characterizes earthly kings is power, dominion, and glory, which is just the opposite of the Kingdom Jesus came to establish. Jesus himself acknowledged that he is king when he is at the mercy of others in his passion. He does not exercise power but is obedient unto death on the cross. The two types of kingdoms are contrasted right through his life, by those who accept and believe, and by those who reject and refuse to believe in his kingdom. When he is born 'he came unto his own and his own received not', those in power, those with authority felt challenged by him and refused to have anything to do with him, but the lowly shepherds, the simple and weak sinners accepted him. Nothing more to give Some years ago divers located a 400-year old sunken ship off the coast of northern Ireland. Among the treasures they found on the ship was a man's wedding ring. When they cleaned it up, they noticed that it had an inscription on it. Etched on the wide band was a hand holding a heart. And under the etching were the words: "I have nothing more to give you." Of all the treasures found on that sunken ship, none moved the divers more than that ring with its beautiful inscription. -Mark Link in 'Sunday Homilies' Today's gospel tells us that at the foot of the cross, people stayed there silently watching him but the leaders jeered at him. "He saved others, Let him save himself." They challenged him to show his power. "If you are king of the Jews save yourself." But Jesus refused to exercise power just as he had refused to be a popular messiah, and be tempted to live up to the expectations of the people. At the beginning of his ministry he was challenged to show his power: "If you are the Son of God throw your self down and the angels of God will support you." but he refused. Even the thieves nailed to their crosses by his side are divided, one abuses him and tempts him: "Save yourself and us as well." The other perhaps glimpses that this is no ordinary human and pleads for mercy. "Jesus", he said "remember me when you come into your kingdom." And Jesus responds: "I promise you, today, you will be with me in paradise." We share in the kingdom when we live like Jesus, not dominating and controlling others, not demanding that life goes according to our whims and fancies but when we surrender to God. "Lord remember me. Lord make me a part of your kingdom..!" This King of Kings is at our service, the only power he exercises is the power of salvation, the power of love! The Master's symphony God was the composer of the music of the universe. He wrote a symphony of heavenly music, all in perfect harmony. To the birds of the air he entrusted the pan pipes, to the long grass he entrusted the strings. To the clouds and the oceans he entrusted the percussion. He allotted sections of the orchestra to all parts of his creation. There was one section of his creation that he decided to treat differently, i.e. human beings. He had gifted them with reason and intelligence, and therefore there was no need to write the score for them, as they would know how to blend and harmonise, without receiving instructions. The music began and it was heavenly. The harmony was enchanting, and the sheer beauty of it all was breathe-taking. Things continued like this for some time. Then one day there was a shrieking discordant note that shattered the harmony of the universe. This was followed by complete silence. "What was that?" whispered the trees.. The birds replied "That was people. They refuse to continue in harmony with the rest of us, and they have decided to do things their way." What will he do now? whispered the grass. "He may tear up the whole score. He may write a new one. One thing is certain he cannot pretend it did not happen, because that discordant note will reverberate throughout the universe for eternity." And what do you think God did? He searched among every sound that ever was, until he found the discordant note. He took that note, used it as a theme, and wrote a whole new score based sorely on that note. Out of that discordant note he wrote a whole new symphony of heavenly beauty, which we now call salvation. The story of salvation is based on our weakness and failure. Only God could think of such a thing! Jack McArdle in 'And that's the Gospel truth' May we be worthy of his kingdom through lives of surrender and service! Fr. Jude Botelho [EMAIL PROTECTED] PS. The stories, incidents and anecdotes used in the reflections have been collected over the years from books as well as from sources over the net and from e-mails received. Every effort is made to acknowledge authors whenever possible. If you send in stories or illustrations I would be grateful if you could quote the source as well so that they can be acknowledged if used in these reflections. These reflections are also available on my website: www.netforlife.net Thank you!