2 Samuel 5:1-3 / Colossians 1:11-20 / Luke 23:35-43
The need for attention is a need of every person.
Every person needs attention for various reasons.
Basically, we will call for attention because of some need.
For example, when we are in a restaurant and we are ready to order our food, we will call for the attention of the waiter.
For babies, when they are in need, whether they are hungry or the diapers need to be changed, they will cry out for attention.
Even a seemingly ordinary action like pressing the bell in the bus, calls for the attention of the bus captain to let him know that we need to alight at the next bus stop.
So, everyone calls out for attention because of a need.
Children will try to get the attention of their parents by doing something or saying something because they need to know that their parents care for them.
Workers will try to get the attention of their boss or superiors by being impressive in every possible way for job security and stability.
And in the competition for love, boy will try to impress the girl and get her attention, or it can also be the other way around.
Whatever it is, the reality is that as human beings, we need the attention from others.
We need attention to impress others and to prove ourselves.
On the higher and noble levels of life, we call for attention to direct others to safety or away from danger, or to make an important announcement.
Today, as we celebrate the feast of Christ the King, the gospel passage brings us back to the scene of the crucifixion.
We may wonder, why is it that on such a grand and joyous feast, the gospel passage is about pain, suffering and death.
The gospel passage states that fact.
But not all facts tell the truth.
The people stood there, but they were looking at Jesus as if they were watching a spectacle, and no response were required from them.
The leaders jeered at Jesus saying, “He saved others, let him save himself if he is the Christ of God.”
The soldiers also mocked Jesus as they said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”
And above Jesus there was an inscription: This is the King of the Jews.
Even one of the condemned criminals hanging there abused Jesus saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself, and us as well.”
Those were the facts at the scene of the crucifixion.
But the irony is that those facts point to the truth, a rather mysterious truth.
Because, all that was said by the leaders, by the soldiers, by that condemned criminal, all that pointed to the truth.
And that truth was stated silently but profoundly in that inscription: This is the King of the Jews.
And the King of the Jews didn’t need to prove Himself, or call for the people’s attention to acknowledge Him as the king.
By the fact that Jesus was on the Cross, He was already above the rest and they were looking up at Him.
At the foot of the Cross, there was so much noise – the noise of jeering, insulting and mocking.
All were trying to call attention to themselves by trying to put down Jesus.
There was so much of jeering and mocking, but only one person was praying.
And his prayer is simply this: Jesus, remember Me when you come into your Kingdom.”
And that simple and humble prayer brought out the divine promise of salvation.
Although nailed to the Cross, Jesus made this divine promise: Indeed, I promise you, today you will be with me in paradise.
That is the promise of the King of kings and the Lord of lords.
It is the promise made to that repentant criminal, and it is a promise made to all of us who believe in Jesus as our Lord and our King.
That promise is renewed whenever we pray the prayer that is on the prayer card, which is also our parish prayer.
That promise is renewed when we write our prayers and petitions in the petition forms, as we put our trust in Jesus, our Lord and our King.
As we call out to Jesus, He turns His attention to each of us, and He says: Indeed, I promise you, today you will be with Me, because I love you, and I want you to be with Me forever.
That is the promise of Jesus to us, and let us believe in that promise.
Because it is the truth and the promise made by Jesus Christ, our Lord and our King.