Christ on the Cross Between the Two Thieves
Lucas Cranach, 1518

My dear friends,

As we gather on this auspicious Feast of Christ the King, also known as "Reign of Christ Sunday", our hearts and minds are drawn towards a narrative deeply rooted in compassion, forgiveness, and the transcendence of suffering, and we too are called to embrace and embody these qualities in our life’s journey.

In the poignant narrative from Luke 23:33-43, we bear witness to the profound depths of Christ’s compassion, as he, even in his moments of unspeakable agony, becomes a beacon of love and forgiveness. In the shadow of The Skull, amidst the piercing jeers and chilling indifference, Christ’s heart, resolute in love, emanates a grace that transcends the brutality of the cross.

"Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing," Jesus declares. In the hallowed echo of these words, we glimpse the essence of boundless compassion. This is not a passive, fleeting emotion, but a dynamic, all-encompassing embrace that sees the suffering behind the veils of ignorance and hatred.

Compassion and love are not mere sentiments, but the very foundation upon which we build a peaceful, joyful, and harmonious existence. The unfolding tale of Christ mirrors this teaching, illustrating a love that extends beyond self, beyond the immediacy of suffering, reaching into the depths of human life.

Each character within this narrative - from the mocking soldiers to the repentant criminal - is a reflection of our own inner landscapes. We oscillate between moments of ignorance and enlightenment, grappling with our inherent potential for both cruelty and kindness.

Yet, amidst this dance of light and shadow, the unwavering compassion of Christ the King invites us to transcend our basest instincts. We are called to a higher love, one that dissolves the illusion of separation and illuminates the sacred interconnectivity of all beings.

As we commemorate this Feast of Christ the King,may we, too, become vessels of unyielding compassion, forgiveness, and love. In the silent sanctuary of our hearts, may the resonant echo of "Father, forgive them" become the anthem of our collective awakening.

As we immerse ourselves in the sanctity of this moment, let us remember the profound truth that within each human being lies the possibility of a kingdom of infinite grace, a paradise forged in the crucible of love, where each one of us, irrespective of our transgressions, is welcomed and cherished.

In the profound essence of compassion, we are not only observers but active participants in the divine dance of redemption and grace. This is the realm of Christ the King, a kingdom not of dominion and power but of love and light, where each one is consecrated in the unutterable beauty of boundless compassion.

Amen.