We close the liturgical year with the feast of Christ the king. As I was reflecting on the gospel, the game of chess came to mind. The Queen is a powerful figure and can move anywhere but the King must be protected and never left alone. How will we protect Jesus, our servant leader our King? The cross is not the place you would look for a king but nothing is ever quite what you would expect from Jesus. It was not Jesus’ death that saved us, but it was his life. A life filled with love. With arms outstretched, Jesus offers us some wonderful words of love.
Jesus says God forgive them. Forgive them for wasting their gifts, for wanting too much, for trusting in weapons, for desiring power. Forgive them for their silence, for failing to act. For not honoring creation. These words assure us that we do not have to agonize over our mistakes that we are given healing to the broken parts of ourselves.Jesus asked God to forgive sinners, “… forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”(Luke 23:34). Jesus’ words assure us that we do not have to agonize over our mistakes. Jesus provides us with healing. How great it is that God’s mercy is greater than our sinfulness. We may think that all this love and mercy could encourage us to continue with our mistakes, but these words are meant to challenge us and invite us to be the people God is calling us to be. We need to protect God’s mercy and love. We must ask for God’s mercy and be facilitators of reconciliation. Let us protect the gift of forgiveness that Jesus offers us.
When the good thief asked that Jesus remember him, Jesus responds “…you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43). Jesus gives the thief much more than what he asked for. Jesus offered him fullness of life, and words of love. Can we make our human hearts the paradise of God while offering fullness of life to our sisters and brothers when we hear their cries of suffering? Remember me, I’m homeless, how about some affordable housing? Remember me, I’m hungry, how about a decent wage? Remember me, I’m the immigrant, welcome me. Remember me, I’m the divorced remarried catholic, that yearns for the fullness of the sacramental life. Remember me, I’m the gay and lesbian, who longs to be embraced and not excluded. Remember me, I’m the woman looking for equality in the church and in society.
Let us invite one another to enter into the paradise of our hearts, allowing us to experience the dignity and fullness of life as we protect the compassion of Jesus. We need to continue to be in Dialogue with the Word of God. Let us not leave the King alone. Let us go away today with a promise that we will make Jesus’ kingdom among us. We need to protect Jesus, his love and compassion. We are challenged as in chess to make all the right moves as we embody the servant leadership of Christ.