There followed [Jesus] a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him. But turning to them Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For behold, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”
Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”
One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
Ping.
In the Catholic Church, it’s the feast of Christ the King. You can’t get any cooler than that.
However, at a retreat earlier this year I had my young son, “Francisco,” with me. The presenter asked, “Quien es el Reino de tu vida?” Who is the King of your life? and Frank yelled, “Me! Me! Me!” The presenter said, “Si no es Francisco, quien?” “If it’s not Frank, then who?” and everyone shouted, “Jesus!”
I didn’t know you were a Rev. Very nice.
I had a teacher in high school that was a Rev. I loved hearing him speak. He was a big man, his presence alone demanded your attention. He too had a wonderful sense of humor but a very deep thinker. Reading your post brought that memory back. That’s a good memory.
If you have a ping list, may I join ?
"Making peace" in Colossians is the same Greek word as in the Matthean Beattiude naming the peacemakers as "children of God"--the Gospel many of us read just a fortnight ago at All Saints'.
What a high calling is issued by Him who is the King of the Saints, reigning from His peace-making throne of the Cross!
Let us remember that as we remember Him--where He promissed to meet and remember us at the throne that is His table.
More interesting to me right now... is the ‘second coming’ - which I believe to be very near. What say ye about that?
I never was a big fan of sermons. I skipped out whenever I had the chance as a kid, but got to listen to all of them on the radio as a teenager, because I worked at the station and was paid to. You, however, do a very good job of it. As good as your observations of the DU Ant Farm...I often wondered if you and PJ were actually the same guy.
There’s a line from Blazing Saddles about excellent oratory, but I can’t say it right here. :^)
On the list, please?