“I am a fool for Christ...whose fool are you?”

Socrates taught for 40 years, Plato for 50, Aristotle for 40, and Jesus for only 3. Yet the influence of Christ's 3-year ministry infinitely transcends the impact left by the combined 130 years of teaching from these men who were among the greatest philosophers of all antiquity. –Unknown

Gospel Text: (LK 23:35-43)

The rulers sneered at Jesus and said,

“He saved others, let him save himself

if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God.”

Even the soldiers jeered at him.

As they approached to offer him wine they called out,

“If you are King of the Jews, save yourself.”

Above him there was an inscription that read,

“This is the King of the Jews.”

Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying,

“Are you not the Christ?

Save yourself and us.”

The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply,

“Have you no fear of God,

for you are subject to the same condemnation?

And indeed, we have been condemned justly,

for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes,

but this man has done nothing criminal.”

Then he said,

“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

He replied to him,

“Amen, I say to you,

today you will be with me in Paradise.”

Today is the last Sunday of Ordinary Time and the Feast of Christ the King. It is also the last Sunday in the Year of Mercy - this year during which we have remembered that "Jesus is the Face of the Father's Mercy." (Pope Francis). Next Sunday, we begin Advent.

Christ as king has no armed forces nor political supporters, no propaganda machinery, no police force, no judiciary, no legislature.

Its only force and weapon, if we may call it such, is truth: "Just as you say, I am a king.  For this I was born and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth, everyone who is on the side of truth hears my voice."  (Jn 18: 37)

As king he appeals only to those interested in the truth, to all those committed to lives of honesty, righteousness and fidelity to the truth.

Jesus has risen from the dead and sits in glory at the right hand of the Father.  He speaks to each of us. Each one of us must decide for yourself whether or not Jesus is our king.

When we choose Jesus as king we give up making our self the center of our world and of our life.

Do I choose Jesus as my king?