Sunday Gospel Reflection
Solemnity of Christ the King
Luke 23:35-43 | November 20, 2022
The King’s Promise of Paradise
JM Nuqui, Campus and Youth Minister
They say there’s one thing common among dying persons: the desire to be remembered by their loved ones. Kaya sa mga funerals, we hear eulogies. Nagbabahagi ang mga family members ng iba’t ibang kwento at karanasan tungkol sa mahal na yumao. We even post pictures and stories in our social media accounts. And we don’t simply share. We share the good memories we had with that person. We share the good things about that person. Lahat ng ito ay para ating alalahanin ang taong mahal at mahalaga sa atin.
My dear brothers and sisters, we celebrate today the Solemnity of Christ the King. And what a very fitting Gospel we have today to describe who this Christ the King is! Tradition says na Dimas ang pangalan nung “mabait” na magnanakaw. And I invite you to imagine Dimas while he was there on the cross. Unlike Jesus who had his mother Mary, John the Beloved, and Mary Magdalene by the foot of the cross, walang kasama si Dimas sa Golgotha. No one was there to mourn his death, to support him on his cruel deathbed. Wala siyang kasama. At siguro, tulad natin, gusto rin ni Dimas na siya ay maalala. Sa pagkakataon iyon kung saan wala na siyang mapuntahan, wala na siyang makausap, at tila wala ng pag-asa, bumaling siya sa kasama niyang nakapako din sa krus. Bumaling siya kay Hesus. “Jesus, remember me. I have no one else to remember me.”
And perhaps Dimas (and even Hestas) was shocked upon hearing Jesus’ response. I imagine Hestas saying, “Ano?! You will be with me in paradise? Tama ba yung narinig ko? Kung totoo nga na anak ng Diyos si Hesus, ibig sabihin siya ay banal.” At para sa mga Hudio noong panahon ni Hesus, hindi nila maisip at matanggap na pwedeng magsama ang Diyos at makasalanan. On the other hand, Dimas was surprised too. Jesus noticing and talking to him sure was very much unexpected. Moreover, he was surprised because he knew he didn’t deserve it. Ang gusto lang naman niya ay maalala. But Jesus gave him more. Ipinangako ni Hesus ang Paraiso. Jesus showed him mercy.
Makikita natin dito ang katotohanan na mayroon tayong Diyos na laging hinahangad na tayo ay makapiling Niya. We have a God who always desires that we share paradise with him. With pure and repentant hearts, kinakailangan lang nating hingin. Kinakailangan lang nating umuwi sa paraisong ito. “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” This line, spoken with painful gasps, holds true a promise for us who choose to believe in our hearts.
Kung babalikan natin ang banal na kasulatan, makikita natin sa Lumang Tipan kung paano paulit-ulit na pinatawad ni Yahweh ang bayang Israel. Despite their recurring infidelity, basta sila ay nagsisi (or when someone asks for forgiveness on their behalf like Moses,) sila ay pinapatawad at kinahahabagan ng Diyos. And we all know the ending of the story. The Israelites were able to reach the promised land. Ipinagkaloob ni Yahweh ang Paraiso sa kanila. Deserve ba nila ang awa ng Diyos? Deserve ba nila ang promised land? Kung tutuusin, hindi. Ngunit, ibinigay ng Diyos.
In the New Testament, we see how Jesus shared his life with those who the society considered dirty, outcast, and sinners. Kaya kung babalikan natin ang parable of the prodigal son, makikita natin na ang kwentong ito ay para doon sa pharisees and scribes who were speaking ill of Jesus for being with sinners. And isn’t the encounter of Jesus and Dimas reminds us of the parable of the prodigal son? Simple lang naman ang hiniling niya: ang tanggapin muli kahit kalimutan na siya ay anak. But the Father gave him more. The Father always remembered him as his son. The prodigal Father, wasteful of his mercy, welcomed him back home. Para sa Ama, hindi naman na kinailangan pang magpaliwanag ng anak. Kinailangan lang niyang umuwi. Parang sinasabi ng Ama, “Hindi na mahalaga anumang iyong nagawa. Umuwi ka lamang sa aking pagmamahal.” Just as how Jesus told Dimas, “You will be with me in paradise,” ay siya ring pagsabi ng Ama sa anak, “I want you to be home.”
My dear friends, the promised land to the Israelites, the mercy of the Father to his sons, and promise of paradise to Dimas – all undeserved gifts, yet always freely given. God’s mercy is always available. Kahit kailan hindi naman ipinagdamot ng Diyos sa atin ang Kanyang awa at pagmamahal. Tayo lang ang madalas na humihindi at tumatalikod. The promised land was always there. Kailangan lang puntahan ng mga Israelita. The Father’s home was always open. Kailangan lang umuwi ng anak. At ang Paraiso ay laging handang ibigay ng Diyos. With pure and repentant hearts, we just need to ask for it.
Paradise is God’s constant grace and presence springing from His desire to be always with us. Paradise is Christ the King telling us: Gusto kitang laging kapiling.
