Jeremiah 23:1-6
Luke 1:68-79 or Psalm 46
Colossians 1:11-20
Luke 23:33-43
The last Sunday of the three year liturgical cycle presents us with a rather surprising image – Jesus crucified on a cross between two other condemned men. This Sunday is often referred to as "the Reign of Christ." What we expect after three years of Gospel lessons about our King is someone sitting victoriously on a high throne, ruling the world in all glory and power. Instead, we see what appears to be a broken man, suspended between two others who can't agree about who this person between them is.
Why are we presented with this image from the Passion experience as the culminating lesson after three years? Perhaps the explanation can be found not on a throne in some far away kingdom, but at the core of every human heart.
Let's remember the key messages from many of the previous Gospel lessons: God is love itself; God dearly loves us; God came to earth through Christ to show us what God is like, and to teach us how to live; God wants us to be loving, too, and have a personal relationship with Him.
But love has to be a choice, or it cannot be love. And to have a choice, we had to be given free will to make that choice. With that free will, however, also comes the possibility that we will make some bad choices. So, a tension arises within us, a tug-of-war between doing the will of God and all the worldly forces that sometimes hold us hostage.
Internally, we are pressured by our survival and procreation instincts; because we are contained within human flesh, we seek safety and comfort, we want security and power, and we want to experience the pleasures this world has to offer. These things are not evil, because they are part of who we are as flesh and bones.
It's how we manage them that can create or avoid problems, which is often greatly influenced by external forces. We are shaped by the norms of our culture, marketing propaganda, peer pressure, social illusions, and past personal experience – all of which may press against our spiritual values, morals, and the conscience of our God-given soul.
The soul part of us often struggles with the worldly part of us. This is a battle we fight all of our lives. It's what makes us human, and what helps us to grow as children of God, especially when we deal with this tension in a proper way.
The two condemned men hanging on the opposite sides of Jesus represent the two sides of this battle. One of them joined in what the crowd was saying: "If you are the Messiah, save yourself! If you are the King, save yourself!" And they mocked and scoffed at Jesus. Our false self can easily accuse, reject, deny and disconnect from the truth. It's our worldly side getting the better of us, covering up our true self and our true identity – creating a world of darkness.
The other man represents our soul side. This man could see deeply, he could see the truth, and he was humble. Full of openness, understanding, and compassion, he surrendered himself to Jesus: "Remember me when you come into your kingdom." As St. Paul wrote in Colossians 1, "He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us in to the kingdom of His beloved Son..."
And there, in the middle of this personal struggle inside each of us, is Christ. Arms outstretched to bring the two sides together, he is always present between the tension of our worldly self and our true soul. He is the mediator that knows and understands what we face as humans. He is the instrument of God to heal us, to bring us peace, to make us whole. Not there to accuse, condemn or punish, but ever-present to unite, redeem, and refresh.
The Reign of Christ is not on some throne in a far away kingdom, but rules within our very heart. He stands in the midst of our troubles and personal sorrows, mending and resting, healing and soothing.
The psalmist writes, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth itself should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea...The Lord of Hosts is with us...Be still and know that I am God."
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