Our Lord is a king like no other: on Calvary He’s reduced to powerlessness, with a wodden cross as His throne, a circle of thorns as His crown, a jeering mob as His courtiers. St. Paul reflecting on this scene, sees the glorious truth that lies beyond, the truth that the “good thief†had glimpsed. Jesus is king by double right. First, as our Creator: in Christ, says St. Paul, “were created all things in heaven and on earthâ€; and also as our Savior – “by His death on the crossâ€, we have been reconciled with God.
In this Mass, as the gifts are brought to the altar, we are bringing our lives, our hopes, our problems, ourselves as humble offerings to the Lord. At the consecration, we are invited to a private audience with the King of kings. And when Mass is over, we shall be sent forth in the name of the King of kings, called upon to translate into action what we have celebrated. Through baptism we are royal, sharers in a royal dignity as the children of God. Our task, this week and every week, is to live lives that in some measure reflect the unselfish love of Jesus, the servant king who came not to be served but to serve; and who served even to death on a cross.