In today’s first reading we meet David who has finally been enthroned as the king of Israel. Yet, it was about 15 years before that when Samuel anointed him king. Saul continued to be the king in the eyes of people. However, in the eyes of heaven, David was the king, even during those 15 years. This speaks to us about two realities. One reality is the reality we perceive through our 5 senses. The other, the reality we perceive through the voice of the Lord.

The people confess, that although Saul was king in their reality, they saw something special about David even while Saul was King. Even while the reality of people and the reality of God coexist, God was still at work.
In today’s Gospel proclamation the Church presents us the scene of the crucifixion as the court of Christ the King. It is not a court of human power, honour and authority. Our Lord Jesus was treated as a criminal, although he was the Sinless One. Such is the extent of the love of our King, that he suffered humiliation for our sake.

God’s love manifests itself in places and ways that we least expect it. We see the leaders mocking him assuming that their understanding of kingship is the only way. Generally, subjects obey their rulers out of fear often accompanied by complaint and resentment.

Dismas, the thief on the other side, recognizes that our Lord Jesus is a king indeed, and even realizes that this is not his kingdom. He appeals to our Lord Jesus to remember him when he gets to his kingdom. Unlike the subjects of human kings, Christ the King elicits obedience and compliance willingly. Christ the King has authority and access to places beyond the reach of human kings, no matter how strong they are.
In today’s second reading St. Paul reveals that by the Lord’s saving grace, Christ the King has removed us from the kingdom under the power of darkness, which prevents us from seeing the Kingdom of God.
During difficult times, when there does not seem to be any human answers, we are invited to submit ourselves to God’s saving grace. Like the 15 years where Saul continued to be king after David was anointed by Samuel, there will be a period where the reality of earth will coexist with the reality of heaven. Even during that time, just like Dismas, the good thief and the Israelites during the reign of Saul, we too will see the hand of God. In the fullness of time, the reality of heaven will prevail over the reality of the Earth.

Prayer: Abba Father, I place my life under the lordship of Christ the King. Amen.