LET JESUS BE THE 'KING' OF YOUR HEART!
As we come to the end of this 2010 Church year, Catholics and Christians all over the world celebrate a wonderful truth of our lives of faith: "Jesus Christ is the King of our lives". Patricia Sanchez helps us understand the true nature of Jesus' kingship in the following homiletic reflection; this appears in 'Preaching Resources'; you can check out that and other resources at CelebrationPublications.org.
"Jesus' reign over his disciples is not an imposed dominion, but a warm welcome extended to all who love and admire him as King of their hearts. As William Bausch affirmed (in his book: Once Upon a Gospel), Jesus was a king like no other, in that he did not have a scepter, but he did have a towel with which he washed his disciples' feet. Patricia Sanchez goes on to say that Jesus had no standing army, but he did have followers. He did not sit on a throne, but on the back of a donkey. He wore no crown of gold, but one of thorns. He did not use his authority to take life, but to give it. He did not set boundaries or entertain only the nobility, but he welcomed prostitutes, tax collectors, foreigners and thieves. He did not exploit people, but spoke sympathetically of widows, prodigals, Samaritans, and the poor. He did not wield the sword of punishment, but extended mercy and forgiveness. He did not coerce, but he invited. He, rather than tax his subjects to pay the debts of his monarchy, laid down his life so that the 'debt' of human sin would be forgiven. He did not come to conquer, but to save."
towards the end of her reflection, Patricia Sanchez offers a final challenge to all of us who are Christians:
"We who are the blessed subjects of Jesus as our King are to reflect his image. We are not to distort that likeness with sin and selfishness or to diminish it with our prejudices and pride. We are to work hard so that the virtues of our king become our own and (these same virtues in us) become the means by which others will recognize our belonging to him. Sealed with his love at our baptism, anointed with the oil that consecrates all we are and all we have to his service, we are to live so true to him that others will want to accept his rule and welcome his reign in their hearts."
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