November 25, 2019

Reflection based on today’s gospel, Luke 23:35-43

 

 Soldiers and rulers sneered at you

You heard them in sacred rhyme

 

They yelled at you to save yourself

You felt in your heart the Father’s complex will

 

Filthy guards offered you wine on a sponge

You drank from the depth of human suffering

 

They pounded a sign above you regarding you as king

Your heart pounded for us as your tribe

 

Criminals at your side in the last minute saying to save yourself

You listened as always to the sinner’s mouth

 

Criminals understood your innocence

You lived the will of the Father until death

 

From the beaten-down heart of the criminal flowed a request

You will remember him in your Kingdom

 

From the bloody cross with flesh torn from bone

You promised paradise to the one who repented

 

We gaze upon the throne where blood gushed from your side

And now we drink of the sacrament of your blood

 

We gaze upon the throne and then look to the floor in shame

And now we cannot believe your love is for us

 

We gaze upon the throne knowing your complete sacrifice

And now we are ashamed of our pettiness

 

We gaze upon the throne where your bleeding body was stripped

And now we adore your Body and Blood

 

We gaze upon the throne where thorns tore your head

And now we see you as our King with eternal crown

 

We gaze upon the throne where your dead body hung

And now we know we are your body on earth

 

We gaze upon the throne along with Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows,

And now we stand among those who suffer

 

We gaze upon the throne with spikes in your hands and feet

And now we touch your glorious and redeemed wounds

 

We gaze upon the throne where death is the last word

And now we speak that all suffering is complete in you

 

We gaze upon the throne viewing your closed eyes in death

And now we wait your radiant face in the Heavenly Kingdom

 

 

Peace to you on this great feast of Christ the King,

Fr. Ron