“Whenever God rules over the human heart as King, there is the Kingdom of God established”
Paul W. Harrison
2 Sam 5:1-3; Ps 121:1-5. Col 1:12-20. Luke 23:35-43
“Father, forgive them, they know not what they are doing.”
People today expect very many things in their lives that even if you promise them a king today, they have the courage to ask, what importance is he for us? What are we going to benefit out of that kingship, where does he come from? (What tribe is he?). Today there is too much pessimism in our life. We are living lives without examination…
Christ is on Mt. Calvary surrounded by two thieves who have been crucified and on top of his head placed an inscription: “This is the king of the Jews” (V.38). This sounds like one of those stories which can be narrated to children to please their ego. But we know today we are being surrounded and we do travel in all means of transport with fear of car hijacking, robbery etc.
The point is not that we are being surrounded by these people but we have burdened ourselves we too much of our pride that we ignore people, don’t greet, no respect for neigbour that once we are robbed, raped, killed, and terrorized, we die in total silence because we know what will follow. Where were you going? Why where you showing off? Why was so and so dressed that way? We are crucifying ourselves amidst all these people we think are “thieves” “terrorists” “rapists” before they harm us. Why? Labelling! Labelling! Labelling!
We are all blind, perhaps unaware of the evil around us and we find ourselves being indifferent in fighting corruption, moral decay, and photocopy Christianity. We think someone else should do certain things. We are good listeners but poor doers. We are all crowded under the cross of crucified Christ and everybody is talking and nobody is listening to the other, like people in the market place.
Today we have people who for a little money sell out their head and conscience, ready to collaborate in the oppression of the poorer ones. We have crucified people and labeled on top of their graves nice words which are not sincere. Better to be buried and let people walk over you than having beautiful words which are simply inscribed to distract people. There are people suffering in our communities, families, offices, corporations and simply can’t talk for fear of being “finished”, like a lamb being taken to a slaughter house. Surely is this how God expects us to live?
Let us be clear: the process against those who killed Jesus will never be opened; the sentence will not be revised. Jesus has already passed his final sentence: he has absolved his executioners and has saved them in the most glorious moment of his life: when, on the cross, he manifested his love in the highest degree. Will the other people receive a different sentence? Can there be a sin that is stronger than, and can resist, the love of Christ?
We are ending YEAR C and the liturgical cycle of three years with the image of Jesus forgiving everybody. My dear readers, this Jesus does not think and reason like us: he does not judge, he does not condemn, he does not discriminate, he does not weigh good and evil with the scales, he does not put up barriers between the upright and the wicked; he loves the upright and the wicked in the same measure and does allow anybody to get lost.
Let us keep this well in mind: the thoughts of God are not our thoughts, his ways are not ways. (Isaiah 55:8-9). If by reading these reflections have made you understand that the heart of God is different, very different from ours, then, I am sure, all the labour gone into writing them is more than worthwhile. Keep going out into the whole world to announce and proclaim the great news: the love of Christ is greater than our sins.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!
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