Here we invite you to take time for yourself in personal prayer. The following spiritual reflection offers words and images which we hope will evoke for you an experience of God.

By: Sister Karen Dietz

Opening Prayer

Loving God, grant that the whole creation, set free from slavery, may offer service and ceaselessly praise You. Amen.

Reading

Luke 23: 35 - 43

The people stood by and watched; the rulers, meanwhile, sneered at him and said, “He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Messiah of God.” Even the soldiers jeered at him. As they approached to offer him wine they called out, “If you are King of the Jews, save yourself.” Above him there was an inscription that read, “This is the King of the Jews.”

Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us.” The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

Reflection

As I was praying and preparing to write this reflection, I kept calling to mind the signs of protest we have seen in cities across our country saying “No Kings!” And I also thought of our fascination with the royals, especially in England. The image of a king (or queen) is somewhat of a mystery for us in this democratic republic. In today’s scriptures, we are reminded of one of the kings of the Old Testament, King David, who rose from his life as a humble shepherd. When he is anointed, the Lord said to him, “you shall shepherd my people.” (2 Sam 5: 2). In the Gospel we see Jesus on the cross, certainly in a position of humility and pain, yet offering consolation to the “good” thief hanging with him.

What do these images and understandings offer us today? I believe that Jesus is offering us a different way of leading God’s people. The call to us is to a leadership of servanthood and sacrifice. We are not called to approach others with superiority and power. Rather we are called to act from within the Body of Christ, offering a hand to those who are in need, a word of comfort to those who suffer. We are not called to judge. Rather we are called to listen with an open heart to the other and to extend peace and reconciliation to the broken.

At the end of the Gospel today Jesus assures the thief that he will be with him in Paradise, healing his wounded heart. There is much brokenness in our world today. Just catching a headline or two is enough to break open our hearts daily. As the Church year draws to a close, can we commit to bringing comfort and dignity to those we meet, welcoming them into the kingdom here and now?

Closing Prayer

Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. Amen.

Welcoming the Holy