Luke 23:33-38

“And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, ‘He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!’” vs. 35

A large crowd had gathered to watch Jesus die. There’s something about a crucifixion or a lynching that draws onlookers–that’s still the way it is. Some of them probably had seen Jesus at the temple and now they didn’t want to miss his ending. The religious leaders weren’t there to watch–they’d come to gloat and mock the Pretender Messiah. But none of the people who were there, not even the disciples, realized that they were actually seeing a coronation. This was the fulfillment of Jeremiah’s hope, and the promised king had taken his throne on a cross. This is what made Jesus different from any other reigning king before or since, and this is what we’re celebrating this week on Christ the King Sunday. And when we think about it, it makes sense. Had he become king in any other way, had he been even greater than David, he would have been forgotten long ago. But because the cross was his throne he will be remembered forever, and each year our memories will become more precious. It is precisely because of Jesus’ crucifixion that we can pray with St. Francis, “In dying we will rise to eternal life.” Our King died with words of love on his lips, and that sacrificial love is transforming the world.

Thought for the Day: Why don’t some folks like crucifixes in churches?