Third Sunday of Advent

The Solemnity of our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe (Luke 23:35-43)

In him were created, all things in heaven and on earth. In him all the fullness was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile all things, whether those on earth or those in heaven.

Today, as Church, we celebrate the feast of the Solemnity of our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe.

It’s almost as if the whole story of Jesus’ life has come full circle in these readings today: from heaven to the cross and back…with arguably the most important message delivered today! Let’s talk about that…

If you followed the readings throughout this week, you know that Jesus has “turned his face toward Jerusalem, and the cross” beginning with the readings on Monday; knowingly walking toward Jerusalem and his crucifixion…just as he told his apostles he would.

But let’s take a step back into our second reading today, where hear Saint Paul say in his letter to the Colossians say: “Let us give thanks to the Father. He delivered us from the power 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. In him were created, all things in heaven and on earth. In him all the fullness was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile all things, making peace…by the blood of his cross…whether those on earth or those in heaven…

That speaks to who Jesus is. That speaks to the Godly nature of Jesus: the king of the universe…the savior of the world.

Then, in today’s Gospel, we hear that Jesus, the savior of the world, the king of the universe, as he is hanging on the cross, in unimaginable pain: the most excruciating death humanity could come up with. After almost all of his apostles/disciples had deserted him, and his most trusted apostle denied that he even knew him. Now, we hear: the people stood by and watched; the rulers sneered at him and said “Let him save himself if he is the Messiah”; the soldiers jeered at him and said “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” The sign that had been placed above his head – that one right there – was put there in mockery of him. And now we hear, even one of the criminals, crucified beside Jesus on the cross, mocks him: “Are you not the Messiah?”

Do we ever do any of those things? “Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me.” Do we ever leer or sneer at our sisters or brothers? Do we ever exploit or mistreat one another? Do we let the world lead us in ways that further drive the nails into His hands and feet, or drive the lance into His side? Do we desert him, or deny him, when it is more comfortable to do so?

In our Gospel today, all of humanity has beaten, stripped, tortured, taunted, deserted, and ridiculed him. And then, the other criminal hanging beside him, in with what were probably this man’s last breaths, most assuredly moved by the Holy Spirit, exclaims his fear of/devotion to God. He acknowledges Jesus’ identity as the Son of God when he said: “We have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes. Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

The criminal didn’t realize that, in the words we use today, he was offering an act of contrition, a confession, and asking Jesus to take him to heaven…when he said these words. He repented of his sins.

And then, the savior of the world, the king of the universe, raised his head and looked into the eyes of this repentant soul, and said: “Amen I say to you, today, you will be with me in paradise.” And just a few moments after this, Luke’s Gospel tells us Jesus breathed his last.

We know the rest of the story. He was buried, rose from the dead, ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of The Father. The savior of the world, the second person of the Trinity, the king of the universe!

And that’s why I say it’s almost as if the whole story of Jesus’ life has come full circle in these readings: from heaven, to the cross, and back. And arguably…the most important message of all…is this:

When the time comes, Jesus, the savior of the world, the king of the universe, will lift his head, and look into the eyes of this repentant soul, saying: “Amen I say to you, today, you will be with me in paradise.”