Jesus Christ, King of the Universe ~ Year C
Spiritual Reflection
Jesus Christ, King of the Universe ~ Year C (PDF)
"Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Luke 23:42
Contrition is a decisive element in conversion. In the sacrament of Reconciliation, you meet with Christ [the King] who wants to forgive you and heal the wounds inflicted on you by your sin. However, if you do not show Jesus your wounds, then He cannot heal them.
If your contrition has no bounds, then the mercy of the Lord will also have no bounds. Think what your confessions are like. Contrition is an act of humility. Humility should increasingly grow within you, and hence, contrition should also continually grow. There is never enough contrition and never enough sorrow for the sins committed. The more you consider yourself a sinner and worse than others, the more you make room for grace and for your faith.
The sacrament of Penance should be an awaited sacrament – one should hunger for Christ [the King] present in it. This is a special time of your meeting with Christ. Love wants to be hungered for; otherwise, Love is wounded…
The good thief is a patron of the sacrament of Reconciliation. His “confession” took place on the cross. There he admitted his guilt, “And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes” (Lk 23:41). What was happening within his soul remains a mystery to us. Only by the results can we try to assume a unique miracle of grace. This man must have been very contrite because with certainty he would have considered himself to be the worst. According to public opinion he was a criminal and a disgraced person since his crucifixion meant also being deprived of all rights. This criminal was dying by torture in public view and accepted this with his statement, “We suffer justly.” It is as if he were saying, Yes, this should happen to me; I deserve this. Somehow, he must have perceived the depth of his sinfulness and must have brought himself to be profoundly contrite. It is certain that his attitude of contrition and deep humility made his heart ready to accept God’s gift of faith. How great must have been his faith if, in the dying Jesus next to him – beaten, spat upon, and still jeered at – he recognized the King, “Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Lk 23:42). It is so difficult for us to be converted because there is too little contrition in our hearts. If there is so little contrition, then our faith is very shallow. (emphasis added by editor)
Tadeusz Dajczer, The Gift of Faith, pp. 87-88,90-91
References from the Catechism of the Catholic Church
440 Jesus accepted Peter's profession of faith, which acknowledged him to be the Messiah, by announcing the imminent Passion of the Son of Man. 40 He unveiled the authentic content of his messianic kingship both in the transcendent identity of the Son of Man "who came down from heaven", and in his redemptive mission as the suffering Servant: "The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." 41 Hence the true meaning of his kingship is revealed only when he is raised high on the cross. 42 Only after his Resurrection will Peter be able to proclaim Jesus' messianic kingship to the People of God: "Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified." 43
1021 Death puts an end to human life as the time open to either accepting or rejecting the divine grace manifested in Christ. 592 The New Testament speaks of judgment primarily in its aspect of the final encounter with Christ in his second coming, but also repeatedly affirms that each will be rewarded immediately after death in accordance with his works and faith. The parable of the poor man Lazarus and the words of Christ on the cross to the good thief, as well as other New Testament texts speak of a final destiny of the soul – a destiny which can be different for some and for others. 593
Questions for Sharing
What truth is this reading revealing to me about my own hunger and participation in the Sacrament of Penance?
How aware am I that my sins wound Christ? What is my level of sorrow? humility?
What part does my entrustment to Christ the King through Mary play in preparing me for and going to Confession?
In what way have I experienced God’s merciful love this week?
Prayer after Sharing
Thank you, God, for allowing me to see the truth about my weaknesses and how it calls upon the abyss of your merciful Love.
