Psalm Reflection: The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe - Cycle B

“The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.” - Psalm 93

As a child, I loved stories about King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. I always imagined myself, when playing with my friends, as a knight on a quest for the Holy Grail or trying to slay a dragon. I loved learning about kingdoms and playing computer games like Civilization and Warcraft where you would build a huge civilization and seek to defeat the enemy from the entire game map. My idea of a king was an image of immense power, influence, authority and bravery. A king in my mind had an empire, a large army, a huge castle or palace, and a massive treasury of wealth.

Every king and kingdom in human history has looked like that, or has desired to look like that—every single one, except for Jesus.

Jesus is the King of Kings, and yet He is the complete opposite of what anyone would expect in a king:

He has a royal bloodline and lineage, when many believed the royal bloodline to be lost.

He was not born in a palace, but in a cave with animals. 

He did not come from wealth, but from complete poverty. 

He was not heralded and honored, but met with the words: “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” 

He was not revered by the authorities; they put Him to death. 

When He announced His kingdom, He came with no army, but with a group of rejects and marginalized followers. 

When He finally received His crown is was made of thorns. 

He was given a robe in mockery, not in honor. 

His throne was not made of gold, but of wood that was stained with His blood. 

His only recognition as a King was in mockery by those who crucified Him.

Jesus turns everything we expect and know upside-down, and that is beautiful.

Why?

Because it reminds us that God works in unexpected ways, through unexpected people. 

He does not seek out the perfect, but the broken.

He does not look for strength and power, but weakness and humility.

He does not work with force or violence, but with compassion and gentleness.

He does not tolerate injustice, but balances justice with mercy.

He does not choose the expected, He calls the unqualified.

That is what the Beatitudes (Mt 5) celebrate.

As human beings we tend to only pay attention to the negative. Jesus looks through a different lens and chooses to see only what is good and what is possible. You may disqualify yourself and think you are unworthy or unloveable, but God does not see you that way. He loves you as you are and wants to use you, right at this very moment, to bring about His kingdom.

You do not need to change in order for God to love you, but when you realize how much God loves you, it will change you.

This week, make a list of all the qualities, gifts, talents and traits you have, as well as all the struggles and weaknesses you have. Bring these lists to prayer saying for each one:

“God I offer to you my ________. Show me how you want to use it to glorify you and serve others.” 

Pray through each item of your lists and write down or reflect upon anything you receive in prayer. Begin to discern how God is calling you to serve in unexpected ways. The world tries to force-feed a cookie cutter image of success down our throats, but God meets us where we are and chooses us for something unique. Turn down the voices that make you feel unworthy or not good enough, and spend frequent time in prayer so God’s voice will ring loudly of your belovedness.

I am praying for you, please pray for me, and I will see you in the Eucharist.

Matt