Bullying others is something common in our society today, which favors the low self-esteem of many people, especially the youth leading them, in many cases, to commit suicide. In the Gospel of Luke for this festivity, we found some sectors bullying Jesus: The Jewish leaders mocked Jesus.  The soldiers also made fun of him, offering him vinegar to drink, and one of the criminals insulted him, too. Not knowing it, with their sayings, they were declaring who Jesus is: The Messiah whom God has chosen, the King of the Jews, the Savior.

I can relate this with reflection 13 of our ongoing formation, the defense mechanism of an insane alliance, when two or more, agree to go against an expiatory victim, leaving him or her prostrated and isolated.

The Gospel also mentioned the lettering written in three languages: Latin, Greek, and Hebrew refers to the three different cultures present in the scene, to which the authorities, the soldiers, and the criminals belonged, declaring: “This is the King of the Jews”.

But in the end, the second criminal who entered the scene was trying to open the mind and the heart of the first criminal: “Don’t you fear God?” declaring Jesus’ innocence and asking him for forgiveness and mercy to go to his Kingdom; with his attitude of humility and petition he shows that he knew Jesus.  He was sure of the power of Jesus to bring the simplicity of heart to his Kingdom.

Jesus kept quiet while all these unjust judging moments go on but at the end, He responds: “I promise you that today you will be in Paradise with me”.

Jesus has the last word of hope for the repented heart, against the foolish conversation that develops among the leaders and criminals.

This gospel brings us to understand the Kingship of Jesus, His Kingdom, the Paradise where only the simple of heart, the repented, and those who recognize Jesus as the true Messiah can go. Jesus was the suffering servant; His crown is made of thorns, not of pearls and diamonds.

For Palau, the relationship of service and collaboration is one of the several kinds of relationships that are established by the Church.  She declares Herself as Queen, Sovereign, and Lady, because Jesus, her head, is the King, Sovereign, and Lord while Palau is the ministry, the priest, the servant: “As Queen, I am the congregation of all the angels and saints in heaven, on earth and under the earth, and under this aspect, I will deal with you about the matters of your ministry and priesthood” (MR 8, 9-11).

This gospel invites us to ponder some questions:

  • Do we belong to the group who is bullying others or do our words bring them hope to raise them from their present situation?
  • Do we look for personal prestige and our interest or are we from those who are humble and simple of heart, serving God and others, preparing the way to his Kingdom?

 

Our Lady of Virtues Community,

Pangantucan, Bukidnon