Daily Readings - Sun Nov 20 2022

¹All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, "We are your own flesh and blood.²In the past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns. And the LORD said to you, 'You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.'"³When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, the king made a compact with them at Hebron before the LORD, and they anointed David king over Israel.

Colossians

Chapter 1

¹²giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.¹³For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,¹⁴in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.¹⁵He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.¹⁶For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.¹⁷He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.¹⁸And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.¹⁹For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him,²⁰and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

Luke

Chapter 23

³⁵The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One."³⁶The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar³⁷and said, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself."³⁸There was a written notice above him, which read:|sc THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.³⁹One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!"⁴⁰But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence?⁴¹We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."⁴²Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. "⁴³Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."

Sermon

In today's readings, we journey through themes of leadership, redemption, and divine kingship, each offering profound insights into God's plan and our place within it. The first reading from 2 Samuel recounts David's anointing as king over Israel, highlighting his earthly leadership and the covenant made with his people. This narrative underscores the importance of recognizing and embracing God's chosen leaders, reflecting a community united under divine guidance. The second reading from Colossians elevates our gaze to the divine, portraying Jesus as the firstborn of all creation and the head of the Church. It emphasizes Jesus' role in creation and redemption, illustrating His supremacy over all things visible and invisible. This passage invites us to contemplate the cosmic significance of Christ's mission and our participation in His redemptive work. The Gospel from Luke presents Jesus on the cross, mocked by leaders yet acknowledged by a repentant thief. This scene contrasts earthly skepticism with humble faith, as the thief recognizes Jesus' kingship even in His suffering. Jesus' promise of Paradise to the thief exemplifies His mercy and the assurance of salvation to those who trust in Him. These readings intertwine to reveal the nature of true kingship and leadership. David's earthly reign prefigures Christ's divine kingship, while the thief's faith exemplifies the humility and trust required to recognize God's plan. In our lives, we are called to lead with humility, trusting in God's providence, and to seek redemption through faith in Jesus, our true King. As we reflect on these readings, let us embrace the call to trust in God's plan, recognizing His presence in our lives. May we lead with humility and seek redemption through faith, remembering that true kingship is not about power but about serving and loving as Christ did. In doing so, we find our place within God's grand narrative of salvation.