Reflections from the Heart – November 21, 2021

The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
by Fr. Ivan Olmo

“You say I am a king. For this I was born…” Jesus is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. He is the actual Word uttered by God made visible. The mere sound of his Sacred Name causes all creatures in Heaven and Earth and below the Earth to bow and worship him unceasingly. One would think since he is Divine Majesty, his crown would be made out of the purest gold and covered with the most precious stones and adorned with the rarest gems. However, this king is a shepherd king, a servant king, a poor, meek and humble king. His crown is a crown of thorns. The crown of the Messiah, the King of the Jews. When we contemplate the Crown of Thorns, in addition to seeing the pain suffered by Christ, one should also see our gracious Savior praying, loving, repairing for the sins of humanity. What an amazing grace to understand this. Not to look at the Cross in shame or as something shameful but to see love, God’s love. We needed Jesus to die. To die such a cruel death so as to melt the stubbornness of our hearts and dispel the darkness from our minds in order to feel, see and experience the profundity of God’s love, his amazing patience, the intimate love he has for each of us. Jesus had to die a horrible death for each one of us, to free each one of us. Our minds and hearts could not possibly comprehend God’s love on their own. We need to understand that Jesus allowed himself to be mocked and humiliated and crowned with thorns to show us what unconditional love looks like. O Lord, our souls belong to you, long for you. Thank you for granting us pardon and peace. Our bodies give you thanks for preserving us as instruments of your peace, cups of salvation, temples of your holy glory. O Lord, our hearts love you for you cleansed them, washed them, kissed them and made them your own. Our spirits rejoice in you. We love being with you, ministering with you, helping others through you, remaining in silence and in prayer with you. But our minds can be far from you. At times heavy, at times tired, at times sluggish. Our minds are always analyzing, always questioning, always suspicious, doubtful. May your Crown of Thorns pierce our minds with your marvelous light and saving grace. May you crown us in your glory for truly you are our Lord, our God, our King.