A Reflection on Luke 23:35-43
Today, on this last Sunday of the liturgical year, the Church places
before us the most profound truth of our faith: Jesus Christ is King of the
Universe. But look where we find Him, crowned, upon the cross at Calvary. The
people stand watching, the rulers sneer at Him: "He saved others, let him
save himself if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God." The soldiers
mock Him, offering vinegar, saying, "If you are King of the Jews, save
yourself." Even the criminal crucified beside Him joins in the blasphemy.
Yet Our Blessed Lord remains. He doesn't defend Himself. He doesn't strike them
down. He simply loves, even unto death. This is the kingship of Christ, not
domination, but total self-gift. When we meditate on the Fifth Sorrowful
Mystery, the Crucifixion, we contemplate not merely an execution, but the
enthronement of the King of Heaven. His crown is thorns, His throne is the wood
of the cross, and from this throne He reigns over all creation with a love that
conquers death itself.
Then, in the midst of this darkness, grace breaks through. The good
thief, guilty and dying, turns to Jesus and speaks words that echo through
eternity: "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." What
faith! What humility! He recognizes the King where others see only a condemned
man. And Our Lord's response reveals the infinite mercy of His Sacred Heart:
"Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." Not
someday. Not after purgation. Today. This is our King, He who opens the gates
of Paradise to a repentant sinner in the final hour. Our Blessed Mother stood
beneath that cross, united to her Son's sacrifice, witnessing this first fruit
of redemption. She who pondered all these things in her Immaculate Heart teaches
us that Christ's mercy is immediate and boundless for all who turn to Him with
sincere hearts.
As we pray the Holy Rosary, we are drawn deeper into these sacred
mysteries. Each Hail Mary unites us more closely to Our Lady, and through her,
to her Divine Son. The Rosary isn't merely repetition of prayers; it's a school
of contemplation where Mary herself guides us to understand the mysteries of
Christ. When we meditate on the Sorrowful Mysteries, we stand with her at
Calvary. We learn what she knew: that Christ reigns not through earthly power
but through sacrificial love. The good thief represents every soul; we all
stand before Christ in our poverty, our sinfulness, our desperate need. And He
looks upon each of us with those same eyes of mercy, offering not condemnation
but Paradise. This is the kingdom we're invited into, not by our merits but by
His grace.
On this Solemnity of Christ the King, as we close one liturgical year and
prepare to begin anew with Advent, let us consecrate ourselves again to Our
Eucharistic Lord, the King of Kings. The cross wasn't Christ's defeat; it was
His victory. It was the moment when He broke the power of sin and death, when
He reconciled heaven and earth, when He opened for us the way to eternal life.
Through the Rosary, Our Lady invites us to enter more deeply into union with
her Son. She leads us to understand that following Christ the King means
embracing the cross in our own lives, trusting in His mercy, and living for His
kingdom rather than the kingdoms of this world. Today, as we honor Christ the
King, let us pray with the good thief: "Jesus, remember me." And let
us trust that He will answer each of us as He answered that repentant sinner:
"Today, you will be with me in Paradise."
Jesus, King of Kings, have mercy on us. Mary, Queen of Heaven, pray for
us.
©2025 James Dacey,
Jr., OFS
