The Main Message: True Kingship is not defined by the power to dominate or the ability to save oneself from suffering. Rather, the Kingship...
The Main Message: True Kingship is not defined by the power to dominate or the ability to save oneself from suffering. Rather, the Kingship of Christ is defined by radical solidarity with humanity ("bone and flesh"), sacrificial love (the Cross), and the saving hope offered even in the hour of death. Jesus reigns not from a golden chair, but from the wood of the Cross, proving that God is with us in our deepest pain.
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Today, we stand at the end of the liturgical year. We look to the horizon and we see Christ the King. But if we look at our Gospel today, the image of our King is confusing. There is no purple robe, only stripped flesh. There is no golden crown, only thorns. There is no army, only two criminals dying beside Him.
The world tells us that a King should be untouchable, wealthy, and powerful. But the readings today reveal a different truth. To understand the Kingship of Jesus—and what it means for us Filipinos amidst our struggles—we will reflect on three words starting with the letter S: Solidarity, Sacrifice, and Salvation.
The first word is SOLIDARITY. In the first reading, the tribes of Israel came to David and said, "Here we are, your bone and your flesh." They accepted him as King because he was one of them.
My dear friends, in our country, we are tired of leaders who are distant. We are tired of people in power who look down from air-conditioned offices while the rest of us wade through the floodwaters of typhoons or line up for hours in the heat just to get aid. We long for a leader who knows our pain.
Jesus is that King. He is our "bone and flesh." He did not remain in the comfort of heaven. He came down to the mud of our existence. When you are hungry, your King knows that hunger. When you are grieving a loved one lost to sickness or violence, your King has wept too. He is not a distant observer of our history; He is our Karamy (companion). He is God-with-us.
The second word is SACRIFICE. In the Gospel, the leaders sneered at Jesus, saying, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the chosen one." This is the logic of the world: "If you are powerful, save yourself! Put yourself first!"
Look around us. Is this not the sickness of our society? The "Me First" mentality? We see it in corruption, where funds meant for the poor are stolen for personal gain. We see it in the lack of discipline on our streets. We see it when we choose comfort over truth.
But Jesus redefines power. He refuses to come down from the Cross. Why? Because you cannot save others if you are busy saving yourself. The true King reigns from the Cross because that is where He gives His life for His people.
This challenges us today. We Filipinos are known for our resilience. But resilience is not enough; we need holiness. We need the courage to sacrifice. Are you a Christian only when it is convenient? Or are you willing to stay on the cross of honesty when everyone else is cheating? Are you willing to stay on the cross of faithfulness when it is easier to leave? True faith is not about prosperity; it is about remaining faithful when the storm is strongest.
The third word is SALVATION. There is a beautiful moment in the Gospel. One thief mocks Jesus, but the other prays, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
This thief, St. Dismas, represents every Filipino who has ever felt hopeless. We have faced so many calamities—earthquakes, super typhoons, poverty that seems to have no end. Sometimes, we feel like we are hanging on a cross, waiting to die.
But look at the King. He turns his face, bloody and beaten, to the dying thief and says, "Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."
This is the power of our King. He does not promise that we will never suffer. He promises that in our suffering, we are not lost. He promises that the gates of Paradise are open, not just to the saints, but to the broken, the sinners, and the desperate who call on His name.
Conclusion My dear friends, do not envy the "kings" of this world—the politicians, the influencers, the billionaires. Their kingdoms will crumble. Their money will not save them.
Instead, look to the King on the Cross. He is your Solidarity—He is your bone and flesh. He is your Sacrifice—He bled for you. He is your Salvation—He opens Paradise for you.
So, no matter how heavy your cross is today, no matter how flooded your home or how empty your wallet, lift your head. You belong to a Kingdom that cannot be destroyed.
Viva Cristo Rey! Long live Christ the King!
No comments