Salesian Perspective: Kingship of Christ

Here is a reflection from Rev. Michael S. Murray, OSFS, Executive Director of the De Sales Spirituality Center, on today's readings as published in Sundays Salesian by the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales (see http://www.oblates.org/spirituality/sundays_salesian/):

"St. Francis de Sales tells us in the Introduction to the Devout Life: 'Consider the eternal love that God has borne you. Before our Lord Jesus Christ as man suffered on the Cross for you, His Divine Majesty by His Sovereign Goodness already foresaw your existence and loved you exceedingly.' (Introduction, Part V, Chapter 14)

"Tempted as he was by the voices around him to use his kingly power for his own relief or benefit, Jesus spent his last moments - his few remaining breaths - for the good of others. It was with love that he promised paradise to the Good Thief who spoke words of humility and contrition.

"On this feast of the Kingship of Christ, the Church presents us with two images: David, the shepherd-warrior, anointed by his people to be their king and Jesus, the only true king, rejected by the people, crucified and ridiculed. In David the kingship of Israel was established so that from it could come the Redeemer of all peoples. But how did Jesus live out his call to be king? According to St. Francis de Sales it was by 'the perfect abandonment into the hands of the heavenly Father and this perfect indifference in whatever is his divine will.' (St. Francis de Sales Sermons for Lent, Good Friday, 1622)

"To Jesus, being king meant being one with his Father. He lived in perfect union with God. As Paul tells us in the letter to the Colossians: 'He is the image of the invisible God.' To Jesus, being king meant giving all for others. He gave his all to each person at every moment. We see this in his words to the repentant criminal on the Cross: Jesus spoke only of mercy and acceptance.

"We are called to do the same. As Christians our first care must be union with our God: 'Lord, it is good for me to be with you, whether you be upon the Cross or in your glory.' (Introduction, Part IV, Chapter XIII) St. Francis de Sales tells us in the Treatise on the Love of God: 'Mount Calvary is the mount of lovers.' (Book XII, Chapter XIII) After the example of our King, we must speak words of mercy and acceptance. Like Jesus, we are not called to condemn or reject but only to love.

"St. Leonie Aviat lived the humble, self-giving life portrayed in today's Scriptures. She recognized and experienced the meaning of authentic royalty, of royal power: spending one's life with God for others. As a young foundress of a religious community, the Oblate Sisters of St. Francis de Sales, Mother Aviat pledged to 'forget myself entirely' and to 'work for the happiness of others.' The call to follow Christ resounded in her every word and act, as she worked to give people here on earth a foretaste of the paradise that Christ promises to all those who remember him.

"Perhaps that's the point. What better way to ask God to remember us than by remembering the presence of God in each day, hour and moment? What better way to join Christ in paradise than by remembering to reach out to others here on earth?"