(Chapter Chapter 5:1-3)
David was the greatest king of Israel, chosen by God and “all the tribes of Israel.”
“And the Lord said to you, ‘You shall shepherd my people Israel and be commander of Israel.’” So, David had two responsibilities—shepherd, or spirit leader, and military commander. Despite his personal flaws, he was seen as successful in meeting both responsibilities.
Jesus called himself “the Good Shepherd” but was never considered to be a king. He himself said, “My kingdom is not of this world.” However, throughout history, kings were among the most powerful people on earth, and so the Church chose to refer to Jesus as a king, but expanded the title to “King of the Universe.” The point is that the power of Jesus goes way beyond that of earthly kings, whose use of power has often been corrupt and unjust. Jesus’ power, righteous and just, reaches to the ends of the universe.
Responsorial Psalm
(Psalm 18:33B-17)
“Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.” That is exactly what we are doing here today, coming to the house of the Lord and rejoicing. What are you rejoicing about today?
A reading from the Letter of Paul to the Colossians
(Chapter 1:12-20)
This reading focuses on a beautiful prayer of thanksgiving and what was undoubtedly a hymn sung at early church liturgies. It deserves a full reading.
“Brothers and sisters: Let us give thanks to the Father, who has made you fit to share in the inheritance of the holy ones in light. He delivered us from the powers of darkness and transferred us to the Kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins …. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things were created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile all things for him, making peace through the blood of his cross through him, whether those on earth or those in heaven.”
Wow! What does all of that mean? It was written at a time when the people of Colossae were being bombarded by other teachers who were talking about other powers in the universe and other obligations that they must fulfill. Paul soars in this language to keep the Colossians on the right path, and the Church believes that this hymn was sung at liturgies throughout the early church to focus on the true power of Christ, “the firstborn of all creation …. in him all things hold together.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke
(Chapter 23:35-43)
The setting for this reading is the crucifixion of Jesus. “The rulers sneered at Jesus and said, ‘He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God …. Even the soldiers jeered at him. ‘If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself …. Above him there was an inscription that read, ‘This is the King of the Jews.’” Jesus gave no response that was recorded, but one of the criminals who were also being crucified with him “reviled Jesus, saying, ‘Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us.’” But the other man said, “This man has done nothing criminal.” Then the dying man said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” And Jesus replied, “Amen, I say to you, today, you will be with me in paradise.” So, at a moment of excruciating pain, Jesus offers total forgiveness to this man, the same forgiveness he offers us today.
Excerpts from the English translation of the Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation (ICEL). All rights reserved.
Bill Ayres was a founder, with the late singer Harry Chapin, of WhyHunger. He has been a radio and TV broadcaster for 40 years and has two weekly Sunday-night shows on WPLJ, 95.5 FM in New York. He is a member of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church in Centerport, New York.