Loyalty to the King who sits on the throne (Wednesday, Week 33, Year 2)

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Next Sunday is the Solemnity of Christ the King of the entire universe. As it is often celebrated, people carry palm branches, sing and dance before the Blessed Sacrament acclaiming and affirming that Jesus is their king. In such ways, we show our loyalty to Him. But I think that acceptance of a king should be more concretely shown in the manner in which the instructions of the king are carried out. Someone is elected into the office of the president; and we publicly declare that we have accepted him to reign over us. But we find it difficult to obey his instructions, to obey the just laws of the land of which he is a custodian and defender. What such attitude means is that we have not accepted him or agreed that he should reign over us. 

The first reading (cf. Rev. 4:1-11) is a vision of Christ our Universal King being lavishly honored and colorfully worshipped by the 24 elders, the creatures and the host of heaven. Now, it should not be difficult for you to believe that these are those who must have been loyal to Him while they were in the flesh; and they cannot but continue to be loyal to Him in heaven. No one can disobey Christ or flaunt his instructions and expect to see himself or herself in heaven acclaiming, honoring Him and worshipping Him as King. 

The Parable of the talents in the gospel (cf. Luke 19:11-28) is a reminder that we have received gifts or talents from Jesus to be offered or given back to Him at the end of time. Someone says that our talents are God’s gift to us; how we use them is our gift to God. Our talents may not necessarily be some special things that we can do which others may not be able to do. Talents should not only be understood as some material endowments which we have. Talents or gifts can even be in the form of what we may not have thought about. Our consistency in doing those “simple-simple” things of life, our consistency in doing what is right is also a gift. And you can’t imagine the number of people you touch on daily basis just because of something right you consistently do. Some persons are quietly using their talents and inspiring others. Some persons are always ready to help without being asked to do so. Some persons are ready to listen to others without considering it a waste of time. Some persons are just in the habit of smiling and pecking up the mood of others. These are some of the ways we can judiciously use the God-given grace or gifts or talents that we have received from God, for greater productivity and impacts on the lives of others. 

Which other loyalty can we offer to Jesus the Universal King than to judiciously and fruitfully use the gifts and the graces we have received from Him? This must be one of the great ways we can honor and worship Him both here and in the hereafter. Mary was presented to God at her infancy and she was filled with uncountable graces which she fruitfully used as the mother of God. And she is amongst those worshipping and falling prostrate before the universal king in heaven. May her life continue to inspire us to greater life of holiness and loyalty to God and His words, Amen!       



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