from Fr Bogdan
Sisters and Brothers,
The last Sunday of the year in the liturgical calendar is celebrated as the day of our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. On that Sunday we acknowledge that Jesus is the lord of everyone and everything; we confess that Jesus has control of all creation.
Who of us, when we were children did not dream to be a prince or princess? Who did not want to be a king or a queen? We could be rulers, and everyone would serve us. But this was just a child’s dream and fantasy. But we want to ask ourselves what it means to be a king? We should ask what it means to rule others. From our experience and human history, we know that most kings, princes and rulers were people hungry for power and focused on their ambitions. Using an army and other forces they wanted to control others. People in many empires and kingdoms were oppressed and used by those with power. Unfortunately, history teaches us that many rulers abused their power and focused on their own benefits.
Jesus is a king, but he is nothing like our earthly monarchs. Firstly, like Jesus said himself, his Kingdom is not from this world. It means he does not have soldiers and servants to protect him and serve when he needs. Jesus does not have an army to control others and shield his kingdom. Secondly, Jesus as a king does not think about himself and his own benefits, but he cared for others. Like it was described by the one of the Jewish leaders, Jesus “saved others”, he did not selfishly save his life.
The spiritual and physical wellbeing of his disciples, believers, and followers was more important to Jesus than his own. Finally, Jesus as a king did not have any throne or palace. In fact, Jesus had “no place to lay his head”. The only throne, the only place he could rule was his Cross. The Cross was the place and area where he conquered Death.
Jesus is a king. But for him to rule means to serve. He is the King – Servant.
Jesus is a king, and we, his disciples who were baptised, participate in his kingship. During our baptism we were anointed like Christ who became Priest, Prophet and King. Now we share his dignity. Like Christ we are rulers of this world. We have different positions to rule. We are mothers, fathers, teachers, managers and so many other positions. Let us remember that our ruling means to serve people we work with. We should imitate Jesus who as a king sacrificed his life to save people.
Today we share his kingship and his service. One day we will share his happiness, when Jesus invites us and says, like he said to a man on the other cross: “you will be with me in paradise.”
Have a blessed week,
Fr. Bogdan
The last Sunday of the year in the liturgical calendar is celebrated as the day of our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. On that Sunday we acknowledge that Jesus is the lord of everyone and everything; we confess that Jesus has control of all creation.
Who of us, when we were children did not dream to be a prince or princess? Who did not want to be a king or a queen? We could be rulers, and everyone would serve us. But this was just a child’s dream and fantasy. But we want to ask ourselves what it means to be a king? We should ask what it means to rule others. From our experience and human history, we know that most kings, princes and rulers were people hungry for power and focused on their ambitions. Using an army and other forces they wanted to control others. People in many empires and kingdoms were oppressed and used by those with power. Unfortunately, history teaches us that many rulers abused their power and focused on their own benefits.
Jesus is a king, but he is nothing like our earthly monarchs. Firstly, like Jesus said himself, his Kingdom is not from this world. It means he does not have soldiers and servants to protect him and serve when he needs. Jesus does not have an army to control others and shield his kingdom. Secondly, Jesus as a king does not think about himself and his own benefits, but he cared for others. Like it was described by the one of the Jewish leaders, Jesus “saved others”, he did not selfishly save his life.
The spiritual and physical wellbeing of his disciples, believers, and followers was more important to Jesus than his own. Finally, Jesus as a king did not have any throne or palace. In fact, Jesus had “no place to lay his head”. The only throne, the only place he could rule was his Cross. The Cross was the place and area where he conquered Death.
Jesus is a king, and we, his disciples who were baptised, participate in his kingship. During our baptism we were anointed like Christ who became Priest, Prophet and King. Now we share his dignity. Like Christ we are rulers of this world. We have different positions to rule. We are mothers, fathers, teachers, managers and so many other positions. Let us remember that our ruling means to serve people we work with. We should imitate Jesus who as a king sacrificed his life to save people.
Today we share his kingship and his service. One day we will share his happiness, when Jesus invites us and says, like he said to a man on the other cross: “you will be with me in paradise.”
Have a blessed week,
Fr. Bogdan