November 20

Luke 23:35-43 - The people stood by and watched; the rulers, meanwhile, sneered at him 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.
THE KING OF LOVE
In todays Gospel, the Pharisees, Scribes, and other persecutors of our Lord are pleased when
they stand before the crucified Jesus. They saw a Jesus Christ very different from the one they
had encountered before--the one who was wise and charismatic, who astounded many with His
teachings, powerful miracles, and magnetic personality. It was to their satisfaction that a person
who seemed to be above them was now humiliated and brought to His apparent downfall.
However, despite the seemingly hopeless situation of Jesus, a criminal beside Him was still able
to witness and perceive the majesty of His love, believing in Him as the true King who could
save him from his sins and bring him to paradise.
Sometimes, because of our problems, we fail to recognize the countless blessings and limitless
love God has for us. We only see our weaknesses and the bad things around us. Let us have a
positive outlook in life, drawing strength from our King who reigns over all of us in love and
mercy.
His Kingly presence, one that radiates nothing but love, will help us renounce the darkness
within and receive the light that never fades.
Let us pray to Christ, our King, that through His majesty, we may be be saved and through His
eternal life, we may experience the splendor of being with Him in Heaven.
Guide Question: Do I acknowledge Christ as King? How do I let Him rule over my lifes
circumstances and victories?