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My
Reflection:
Who among
us would want to follow the kingship of Jesus?
He is an image of human weakness, He hangs on the cross blooded ang
dying. The rulers sneered at Him even the soldiers taunted Him. Jesus on the
cross was seemingly helpless and it seems that God has forsaken Him already.
If we
were present during that time of His crucifixion we would not dare also touch
Him with a ten foot pole. We would have also
silently walked away like the others who were disappointed with Jesus show of
human weakness.
What if
Jesus projected the image of king David in our first reading (warrior,
conqueror and leader) of course everyone would have flocked to His side. But
Jesus did not show any warrior like demeanor, instead He showed a defeated
behavior that His followers did not want to see from Him. That’s why in His
most trying times everyone who followed Him eventually deserted Him.
But during His moment of human weakness
someone recognized His kingship. It was the criminal hanging on the cross
beside Him. What made the criminal recognize His power and kingship? That he
even asked Jesus to remember him when He is in His kingdom. It was the criminal’s
humility and unwavering faith in Jesus. We may ask, is it possible for a
criminal to be humble and is it possible for a criminal to have an unwavering
faith in Jesus? Yes it is very possible!
How could
this gospel help us to have a firmer grasp of the kingship of Jesus? We must
always humble ourselves before Him. For example, we always go to Mass and we
humbly submit ourselves to the Sacrament of Reconciliation as often as
possible. We must not forget also to always ask Jesus to increase our faith.
But sad
to say, many of us are situational followers of Jesus only. …