Beaten and mocked, even agonizing on the cross, Jesus rules over the heavens and earth. In the last moments of his life, Jesus opens up paradise to let in those who suffer and die themselves. Our God is unstoppable, and nothing should stop us from approaching him!
To complete the liturgical year, the Church points to Jesus ruling from the cross. Up til his last breath, Jesus keeps revealing his power, opening up the kingdom of heaven to anyone who believes in salvation.
Saint Paul recognizes God’s body is now present in his Church. We are all invited to become a visible sign of God’s love for us. We gather on Sundays to step closer to Jesus as revealed in his community. We gather to invite God’s good news into our crucified reality.
We will shortly reenter the wonder of God’s birth and allow the liturgical seasons to guide us again through the most significant mysteries of our faith. This Sunday, Jesus flashes in his crucified glory as if inviting us to choose our way of entering the new liturgical year with him.
At the feast of Christ, King of the Universe, we look at Jesus dying between two thieves. One of them: Gestas, joined the crowd in complaint and mockery. For the other: Dismas, facing God became a last-minute recognition of his human nature and Jesus’ divine glory.
One of the saint patrons of penance, Dismas displays the heart’s capacity for wonder. The thieve’s ability to see and recognize Jesus while suffering next to him on the cross surpassed the response given by the temple, the state and the crowd. Nothing is too far away for God to draw it closer into his presence. We are never too far gone for Jesus to bring us into the inheritance of light. Let us come as we are: Now the Church is his body.
