Psalm: 122
Reading II: Colossians 1:12-20
Gospel: Luke 23:35-43
As we celebrate the last Sunday of the Liturgical Year, we focus on Jesus, our King and that of the whole Universe. How blessed are we to have such a loving and compassionate King! How awesome that this King not only became one of us, but also was willing to die an ignominious death to redeem us sinners!!!
It is noteworthy that the Feast of Christ the King is celebrated close to our Thanksgiving Day each year. In addition to our usual expressions of gratitude for our many blessings, it is also a reminder to thank our God for the gift of Jesus, our Savior and our heavenly King.
I can recall a time when praying the “Our Father,” I would feel frustrated as I said: “Thy Kingdom come.” While I wanted to help to bring about the Kingdom of the Lord, I was very aware of the enormity of the task and my own limitations.
The Good Shepherd led me by small steps. First, He let me know that I could make him king of my heart. This simply meant choosing to do His will rather than my own. This was not always easy, but with His help it was possible.
Then, I realized that I could teach others about Jesus in both formal and informal ways. I taught children, teens and adults in religion classes, CCD, theology courses, and campus ministry. Informally, as a teenager in my first job
in a Jordan Marsh Department Store, my participation in the midday Mass at the Franciscan Shrine in Boston, caused a fellow worker to ask to join me and begin her study of the Catholic faith.
As I became more aware of needs outside my familiar world, the Lord led me to share the faith in cities and Indian Reservations. There I also deepened my own understanding of Jesus by being introduced to new cultures and their ways of worship. This greatly enriched my faith also.
Finally, now that I am physically limited there are more ways to share about Jesus and the Kingdom of God. Besides praying for the Kingdom of God to come, each time we say the “Our Father,” we have the opportunity to share about Jesus. through the Internet. Today, this blog Companions on a Faith Journey, brings reflections on the Lord and comments by others to people all over the world. Praise the Lord for giving some people the intelligence to make this a reality for us. What an awesome God we have!!!
As we take the time to thank the Lord for all his gifts, especially our King and Savior, Jesus, let us also be alert to the many opportunities available to us to bring about his Kingdom in our world today. As we read in Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus before he ascends into heaven, says to the disciples:
I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Go
then to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples:
baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy
Spirit, and teach them to obey everything I have commanded
you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the age.
(Matt. 28:18-20)
Reflection Question: How can I make Jesus known formally and/or informally?
Spanish Translation of Reflection Above...
Fiesta de Cristo Rey
Mientras celebramos el último domingo del año litúrgico, nos enfocamos en Jesús, nuestro Rey y el de todo el Universo. ¡Cuán bendecidos somos de tener un Rey tan amoroso y compasivo! ¡Qué asombroso que este Rey no solo se convirtiera en uno de nosotros, sino que también estuviera dispuesto a morir una muerte ignominiosa para redimirnos de los pecadores!
Es de destacar que la Fiesta de Cristo Rey se celebra cerca de nuestro Día de Acción de Gracias cada año. Además de nuestras expresiones habituales de gratitud por nuestras muchas bendiciones, también es un recordatorio de agradecer a nuestro Dios por el regalo de Jesús, nuestro Salvador y nuestro Rey celestial.
Puedo recordar un momento cuando rezaba el “Nuestro Padre”, Me sentiría frustrado cuando dije: “Venga tu reino”. Si bien quería ayudar a lograr el Reino del Señor, estaba muy consciente de la magnitud de la tarea y mis propias limitaciones.
El Buen Pastor me guió por pequeños pasos. Primero, me hizo saber que podía hacerlo rey de mi corazón. Esto simplemente significaba elegir hacer su voluntad en lugar de la mía. Esto no siempre fue fácil, pero con su ayuda fue posible.
Entonces, me di cuenta de que podía enseñar a otros acerca de Jesús de manera formal e informal. Enseñé a niños, adolescentes y adultos en clases de religión, CCD, cursos de teología y ministerio universitario. Informalmente, cuando era adolescente en mi primer trabajo en una tienda departamental Jordan Marsh, mi participación en la misa del mediodía en el santuario franciscano de Boston hizo que un compañero de trabajo pidiera unirse a mí y comenzar su estudio de la fe católica.
A medida que fui más consciente de las necesidades fuera de mi mundo familiar, el Señor me llevó a compartir la fe en las ciudades y las reservas indias. Allí también profundicé mi propia comprensión de Jesús al presentarme a nuevas culturas y sus formas de adoración. Esto enriqueció enormemente mi fe también.
Finalmente, ahora que estoy físicamente limitado, hay más formas de compartir sobre Jesús y el Reino de Dios. Además de orar para que venga el Reino de Dios, cada vez que decimos el “Padre Nuestro”, tenemos la oportunidad de compartir acerca de Jesús. a través de Internet. Hoy, este blog Compañeros en un Viaje de Fe, trae reflexiones sobre el Señor y comentarios de otros a personas de todo el mundo. Alabado sea el Señor
por dar a algunas personas la inteligencia para hacer esto realidad para
nosotros. ¡Qué Dios tan asombroso tenemos!
Mientras nos tomamos el tiempo para agradecerle al Señor por todos sus hijos, especialmente a nuestro Rey y Salvador, Jesús, también estemos atentos a las muchas oportunidades que tenemos disponibles para lograr su Reino en nuestro mundo hoy. Como leemos en el Evangelio de Mateo, Jesús antes de ascender al cielo, les dice a los discípulos:
Se me ha dado toda la autoridad en el cielo y en la tierra. Ir
entonces a todos los pueblos de todas partes y hazlos mis discípulos:
bautízalos en el nombre del Padre, el Hijo y el Santo
Espíritu, y enséñales a obedecer todo lo que he mandado
tú. Y estaré contigo siempre, hasta el fin de los tiempos.
(Mateo 28: 18-20
Pregunta de Reflexíon: ¿Cómo puedo hacer que Jesús sea conocido formalmente o informalmente?
Comments:
Stephanie Morris, Ph. D, Historian, Certified Archivist, emerita
Making Jesus known “formally” might involve actively speaking or writing about Jesus and our Catholic faith. This can be a big challenge to introverts. Making Jesus known “informally” might be as simple as being Christ-like. Would Christ use the same words we do when we are angry or suddenly hurt? How would Christ or the Blessed Mother respond when meeting a friend or acquaintance who was in pain? Jesus is with us always and the Holy Spirit is also present to provide us with the special words that might comfort or support the friend in pain. Mother Katharine said all our good thoughts come from God. So don’t worry about what you might say; let Jesus speak through you with the help of the Holy Spirit.
Pat Chiaffa, ASBS
Regrettably, I am not much of an evangelizer. However, as a result of participating in your weekly Scripture Sharing gathering over the years, I have grown comfortable with witnessing to God’s abundant blessings and Spirit’s undeniable guidance in my life. Bible study has enhanced and expanded my understanding of Jesus’ teachings. It has also lead me to a greater appreciation of God’s word.
Typically, those who take part in these groups are at varied levels of knowledge, experience and lifestyle, providing much to share.
Additionally, for those readers who, like myself, are uncomfortable with actively preaching the Gospel and talking openly about Jesus, I share the quote – attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, “Preach the Gospel at all times, and if necessary use words.” Most of us have daily contact of some sort with others. Our words, behaviors and actions speak loudly. When we express patience, kindness and caring we share Jesus’ message of God’s love to those we encounter.
