Christ the King Sunday – OT C – Sermon thoughts

Christ the King Sunday – OT C – Sermon thoughts

King – who is a king?
We definitely have some ideas who can be a king.
But from today’s readings we get some biblical pictures about a King.

In the first reading we hear about David – a real king.
He was not a man without his weakness.
But he was popular because he loved his people much.
Perhaps, the most popular King of the Jews of all time.

But can be a king, a “self-rescuer”?
Or want / can the people accept such a king? In fact, not …
I do not think a king who battles for his own protection and let his people down, is not a good King. He will not be a beloved and accepted one.

A king has to fight, and may be until the end of his life.
And when he does that for his people, this is a great king.

But in the Gospel we hear that many laugh at and mock Jesus.
They demand from him to “save himself…”:
yes, they repeat it three times.
Jesus remains silent to their mockery.

But the life and post crucifixion proves definitely that Jesus is the best king.
He fought for life, not for his own or earthly, but for eternal life.
To this end he takes suffering and sacrifices.
He was a special king…
He possessed no weapons:
his weapon was love.
A strange king, who spent his time with sinners and excluded;
He shared his life as bread.

His goal was to provide life: Not a life that of the world.
But a life, that proceeds from God the Father, the designer of life.

Therefore, Jesus promises the “paradise”” for the thief on the cross.
He used this word with the original thought…
A Paradise, where divine life meets the human as in the beginning.

Jesus will restore this lost God-Men relationship.
As a special King…

Jesus is a question for our contemporary faith:

If he is our king?
He is not a ruler with power. He used no violence.

He wants to unite and lead us, as the shepherd …

He is Lord of your heart ..
A strange king … the unique King of Hearts…

Let us keep our hearts open and ready for him..
also our families, our church communities …

May his love be with us …
May his life be in us …
His peace be with us … Amen!

-

Thomas Kalathil

33rd Sunday in OT C – Sermon Thoughts (LK 21, 5-19)

33rd Sunday in OT C – Sermon Thoughts (LK 21, 5-19)

Is the gospel “the good news”?
The horror scenarios which Jesus lists:
wars, riots, the fall of the Temple, earthquakes, plagues, famines, arrests, prosecutions … – In short all are “terrible things.
They are in no way something to be cheerful…
Is Jesus the prophet of destruction? Or he brings life and hope?
After hearing the Gospel, many of us may think so.

We know that every life is temporary.
The gospel makes us all aware about it today.
Especially those who live without faith in Jesus, has longer “life”.
We are warned to be vigilant:
“Keep … get ready because the Son of man coming at an hour where you do not expect it.”

…Fear … To be ready …we know these feelings …

Who’s afraid of an Exam?
Someone who is well prepared for it has certainly no fear or less …
and he, who is not well prepared, must fear it.

Also, in the belief, Jesus asks us all exactly this kind of willingness.

Even if Jesus predicts the destruction of the temple, it is not against Jews or Judaism in the first place, I think.
Everything built by human hands, has an end.
Not only the temple but also our human body are subject to decay and destroy.

Perhaps more than this, these buildings symbolize the pride and power of the Jews. They symbolize their special call as “the chosen people of God”.
If they think this particular vocation alone gives them eternal salvation,
then Jesus says a big “no”.

Only those who stand firm and live the faith are saved.

It is valid not only for Jews but also for us.
Baptism alone saves us never…
Faith alone does not save us…
Bible alone does not save us …
We need baptism, communion, faith, God’s word and a coherent life.
Then we have the hope to be saved.

God is not only to judge us, but also to give his life. It is his prime mission.

Talk about the punishment is not to spread fear, but to move and inspire to faith, trust, God’s love and mercy.

Because so tells us the gospel:
“…but not a hair on your head will be destroyed.
By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”

It is not to frighten us, but to guide us to make something special out of life. Life is a unique and precious gift that you can not just waste.

If we trust in God’s forgiveness and mercy, let us “be merciful as the heavenly Father is!”

Our compassion may be a deposit to get forgiveness!
In the Beatitudes we are promised,
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.”

God is righteous in his mercy.
Let us follow him to life. Amen.
-
Fr Thomas Kalathil