On Sunday we celebrated the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. The Gospel reading is from the account of the crucifixion of Jesus on Good Friday.

Jesus is King, yet He hangs on the Cross. And there is more:

The rulers sneer at Jesus (Lk. 23:35) as He hangs there. The soldiers jeer at Him (Lk. 23:36) as He is suspended from the beams.

Even one of the criminals crucified next to Him reviles Jesus (Lk. 23:39).

All of the rage and hate is directed at the Son of God. And they tempt Him. They say repeatedly: “Save yourself. Come down from the Cross and we will believe you.” They are lying. Every temptation is a lie.

Some of these very same people had seen the tremendous miracles of Jesus.

They saw Him multiply the loaves and fish; they saw Him turn water into wine they saw Him walk on water. And now they say, “Just do one more thing and we will believe you.” No, they won’t.

Jesus gives them a better sign yet: He transforms a thief into a judge.

The good thief tells the bad thief, and essentially the rulers and the soldiers – and you and me: “Have you no fear of God … we have been condemned justly … but this man has done nothing criminal” (Lk. 23:40-41).

The good thief makes an act of faith. Immobilized on the Cross, the good thief declares the Son of God innocent.And then the good thief speaks an even deeper act of faith. He speaks the name of Jesus: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Lk. 23: 42).

And Jesus responds solemnly to the good thief, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Lk. 23:43).

The good thief declares Jesus innocent; and Jesus, the King, declares the good thief a saint.

Now, that is quite the miracle. And quite the King.

God bless
Msgr. Bransfield