Gospel
The people stayed there before the cross watching Jesus. As for the leaders, they jeered at him. ‘He saved others,’ they said ‘let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.’ The soldiers mocked him too, and when they approached to offer vinegar they said, ‘If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.’ Above him there was an inscription: ‘This is the King of the Jews.’
One of the criminals hanging there abused him. ‘Are you not the Christ?’ he said. ‘Save yourself and us as well.’ But the other spoke up and rebuked him. ‘Have you no fear of God at all?’ he said. ‘You got the same sentence as he did, but in our case we deserved it: we are paying for what we did. But this man has done nothing wrong. Jesus,’ he said ‘remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ ‘Indeed, I promise you,’ he replied ‘today you will be with me in paradise.’
(Luke 23:35–43)
Did you know?
Points of interest and Catholic lore
- Crucifixes often have the letters ‘INRI’ inscribed on them. These are the Latin initials for Iesus Nazarenus, Rex Iudaeorum, which translates to ‘Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews’. These are the words that Pilate had written on the cross above Jesus.
- All four gospels state that Jesus was crucified between two thieves; however, only the Gospel of Luke includes the story of one thief recognising and believing in Jesus. This account aligns with Luke’s overall theme of God’s grace being granted to the lowly and the outcast.
- Today is the final Sunday of the liturgical year for the Church. Next week is the first Sunday of Advent and the beginning of a new church year, during which the Gospel of Matthew will be read.
Exploring the Word
It is fitting that this final text in the liturgy from the Gospel of Luke emphasises some dominant themes and proclaims the kingship of Jesus. Throughout this liturgical year, we have noted the radical reversal that forms the heart of the Gospel. Christ is not proclaimed a king in a scene of glorious enthronement, but instead as a broken man nailed to a cross. Jesus’ kingship is revealed, paradoxically, in the moment of his deepest humiliation. Throughout the Gospel, Jesus seeks out and saves the lost—and in the current text, it is a common criminal, rightly condemned, who proclaims the kingdom that Jesus is to inhabit. True to form, the compassionate Jesus of the Gospel of Luke assures the thief of his salvation, and he prays for God to forgive those who had brought him to this point (Luke 23:34).
- How have you experienced the forgiveness offered by Jesus?
- Reflect on the words of the Our Father: ‘Thy Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.’ What are the implications of this prayer for believers? How can we help build the kingdom of God on earth?
Making connections
Opportunities for group discussion and personal prayer
- What do you think and feel when you contemplate the image of Christ being crucified?
- Have you ever been punished when you have done nothing wrong? How did it make you feel?
- The general public seems to be fascinated by royalty and royal families, who certainly achieve plenty of coverage in the media. Share your feelings about royalty and royal personages. How does their royal image compare with that of Christ the King?
- Place a crucifix in a place of honour in your home. Spend some time each day praying before the crucified Christ.
- The plea of the penitent thief makes a fine prayer this week:
Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.
Sharing the tradition
A closer look at the Scripture of the day, to see how it makes more explicit God’s word to us through the teachings of Jesus Christ
The feast of Christ the King is relatively new in the church calendar. Pope Pius XI established this feast in 1925 after the world had experienced the horrors of the First World War, which had exposed the brutality and destruction unleashed by so-called civilised Christian nations. The royal house of Russia had been murdered, and kingdoms toppled in the aftermath of war. The Church’s role in social and cultural life was diminishing, and a greater separation of Church and state emerged. The feast of Christ the King aimed to directly confront growing secularism and confirm that ultimate authority resides not with nations or military power, but with Christ as the universal king. This feast occurs on the final Sunday of the Church’s liturgical year—and it proclaims that Christ presides over the whole of history, and that all of time and all the ages belong to him (CCC, §450).
- Discuss this concept of Christ the King in light of our era of declining royalties. How helpful is the concept to members of the group?
- You could use visual images of Christ the King as a stimulus, such as Eastern icons.
- You could compare other images of Jesus to further the discussion, such as Christ the Good Shepherd.
Symbols and images
The image of a king depicts someone wielding ultimate authority, to whom loyalty and obedience is owed. It is with this understanding that we celebrate Christ as king. During his life, Jesus preached about the kingdom of God while avoiding any attempts from others to make him a king in an earthly sense. He was not interested in power or glory, nor in military might. Instead, Jesus’ kingship is rooted in the profound authority of his teachings and in the recognition that he is God among us.
Living the Word
Practical ideas for group leaders to employ in connecting Scripture and daily life, with suggestions for music and environment
- What visual images of Jesus are presented in your church or parish buildings? You could examine them and discuss the images of Jesus that they present.
- Use a crucifix as a focus for prayer. If participants do not have a cross of their own, you might consider offering a presentation of one to each catechumen. You could spend some time in quiet reflection while listening to the Taizé chant, Jesus, Remember Me (GA 308). Another appropriate song could be Jesus Christ, Yesterday, Today and Forever (GA 527). Pray for the coming of God’s kingdom. Pray for each other that, like the penitent thief, everyone will have a place in the kingdom. Conclude with an adaptation of the prayer of blessing in the RCIA at §97I.