The document provides notes and commentary for a Bible study on the Solemnity of Christ the King. It summarizes the first reading from 2 Samuel about David becoming king of Israel. It then summarizes the responsorial psalm about going joyfully to the house of the Lord. Finally, it summarizes the second reading from Colossians about Christ's primacy and preeminence over all creation as the image of God.

1. Welcome to our Bible
Study
Solemnity of Christ the King C
20 November 2016
In preparation for this Sunday’s liturgy
As aid in focusing our homilies and sharing
Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

2. 1st
reading: 2 Samuel 5:1-3
 1 In those days, all the tribes of Israel came to David
in Hebron and said: "Here we are, your bone and
your flesh. 2 In days past, when Saul was our king,
it was you who led the Israelites out and brought
them back. And the LORD said to you, 'You shall
shepherd my people Israel and shall be commander
of Israel.'" 3 When all the elders of Israel came to
David in Hebron, King David made an agreement
with them there before the LORD, and they anointed
him king of Israel.
The focus is on the kingship of David.

3. 1st
reading: 2 Samuel 5,1-3
Tribes of Israel to David
 1 In those days, all the tribes of Israel came to David
in Hebron and said: "Here we are, your bone and
your flesh. 2 In days past, when Saul was our king,
it was you who led the Israelites out and brought
them back. And the LORD said to you, 'You shall
shepherd my people Israel and shall be commander
of Israel.'"
Elders of Israel to David
 3 When all the elders of Israel came to David in
Hebron, King David made an agreement with them
there before the LORD, and they anointed him king
of Israel.
A simple outline!

4. Textual Context of 2 Samuel 5,1-3
Outline of the Books of Samuel (Boadt)
1 Sam 1-3 The childhood and prophetic call
of Samuel
1 Sam 4-6 The Story of the Ark of the
Covenant in battle
1 Sam 7-12 Samuel and Israel’s decision to
have a king
1 Sam 13-31 The story of Saul’s failure and
David’s rise to power
2 Sam 1-8 David’s period of kingship over all
Israel
2 Sam 9-20 The “Succession Narrative” of
David’s sons
2 Sam 21-24 Appendix of other David
traditions

5. 1st
reading: 2 Samuel 5,1-3
Tribes of Israel to David
 1 In those days, all the tribes of
Israel came to David in Hebron
and said: "Here we are, your
bone and your flesh. 2 In days
past, when Saul was our king, it
was you who led the Israelites
out and brought them back. And
the LORD said to you, 'You
shall shepherd my people Israel
and shall be commander of
Israel.'"
Elders of Israel to David
 3 When all the elders of Israel
came to David in Hebron, King
David made an agreement with
them there before the LORD,
and they anointed him king of
Israel.
Commentary
 Saul, the first king of Israel, is
dead.
 David becomes the second king
of Israel.
 The Northern Tribes (10 tribes)
pledge allegiance to David (of the
South / Judah) in Hebron. V.1
 Hebron is located in the South.
 V.2 recalls the days of their
former king Saul. The tribes
recall in relation to the leadership
of David.
 David’s leadership is to be
shepherd (nurturing) and
commander (defender) of Israel.
 In v.3, David makes agreement
(covenant) with them. They
anoint him (masiha / messiah)
king of Israel.

6. Reflections on the 1st
reading
 Leaders must be acceptable to the people (like
King David).
 Leadership (kingship, authority) is service.
 Leaders are supposed to give direction, lead to
green pastures (shepherd) and defend the people
(commander), not victimize the poor and the whole
nation.
 The leaders must be wise, God-fearing and have
high moral standards.
 In turn, the people (like the 10 tribes of Israel)
must pledge allegiance (show loyalty and support) to the
leadership.

7. Resp. Ps 122:1-2, 3-4, 4-5
 R. (cf. 1) Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
 1 I rejoiced because they said to me,
"We will go up to the house of the LORD."
2 And now we have set foot
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
 3 Jerusalem, built as a city
with compact unity.
4 To it the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD.
 4 According to the decree for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
5 In it are set up judgment seats,
seats for the house of David.

8. Resp. Ps 122:1-2, 3-4, 4-5
 R. (cf. 1) Let us go rejoicing to
the house of the Lord.
 1 I rejoiced because they said to
me,
"We will go up to the house of
the LORD."
2 And now we have set foot
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
 3 Jerusalem, built as a city
with compact unity.
4 To it the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD.
 4 According to the decree for
Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the
LORD.
5 In it are set up judgment seats,
seats for the house of David.
Commentary
 The psalm is a psalm of ascent (to
Jerusalem).
 It is every Jew’s dream to go up to
Jerusalem as a pilgrim.
 V.1 indicates the joy of a person when
invited to go up to the Temple of
Jerusalem.
 V.2 immediately reports that the
pilgrims are now within the gates
(premises) of the Temple.
 V.3 focuses on the whole city of
Jerusalem (compact, walled,
everything is there).
 V.4 indicates that all the tribes
(Israelite nation), not just some
individuals, go to Jerusalem.
 V.4b indicates the purpose: to fulfill the
law, to give thanks to God.
 In v.5, the judgment seats are the
reception hall (1 Kgs 7,7)

9. Reflections on the Psalm
 We are all pilgrims on earth.
 We have to recognize (identify) an important place
to go for our spiritual upliftment.
 The disposition of a pilgrim is that of joy because
he/she believes he/she is drawing close to a
beneficent leadership (king, who represents God).
 The pilgrim walks with other people and tribes.
 Pilgrimages re-roots (re-grounds) us to the origins of
our faith or to the ones that enhance it.
 We have leave our comfort zones to attain it.
 Have you joined a pilgrimage (local or overseas)?

10. 2nd
reading: Colossians 1:12-20
 12 Let us give thanks to the Father, who has made you fit to
share in the inheritance of the holy ones in light. 13 He delivered
us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom
of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the
forgiveness of sins. 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the
firstborn of all creation. 16 For in him were created all things in
heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether
thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things were
created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and
in him all things hold together. 18 He is the head of the body, the
church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in
all things he himself might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the
fullness was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile
all things for him, making peace by the blood of his cross
(through him), whether those on earth or those in heaven.
The focus is on the primacy of Christ.
Take note of all the prepositions which highlight it.

11. 2nd
reading: Colossians 1,12-20
The Father
 12 Let us give thanks to the Father, who has made you fit to
share in the inheritance of the holy ones in light. 13 He
delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us
The Son
 to the kingdom of his beloved Son, (kingdom, kingship)
 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
(salvation)
 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all
creation. (represents God, representative)
 16 For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth,
the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or
principalities or powers; (angels?) all things were created
through him and for him. (creation) 17 He is before all things,
(pre-existent)
 and in him all things hold together. (integrator)
A simple outline!

12.  18 He is the head of the body, the church. (leader of the
church)
 He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in
all things he himself might be preeminent. (number one)
 19 For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell,
(dwelling place of God)
 20 and through him to reconcile all things for him,
making peace by the blood of his cross (through him),
whether those on earth or those in heaven. (reconciler)

13. Commentary on the 2nd
reading
 There are many titles which are attributed to Jesus.
 The reading enumerates who Jesus is in relation to the
Father, to creation, to us, the Church, to the dead
(resurrection).
 The text brings out theological subjects like christology,
ecclesiology, soteriology and a little eschatology.
 With all the big titles, the Christian reader cannot take
Jesus Christ for granted.

14. Reflections on the 2nd
reading
 This battery of information about Jesus builds up the
image of Christ as King (pre-existent, pre-eminent, nothing
is higher, greater, nobler than he).
 Who are we not to serve his interests? (God’s politics)
 Who are we to ignore his laws and decrees? (to be
disobedient, insubordinate?)
 Who are we to take his Church for granted?
 After having heard all his titles, we must be dumb or
crazy if we cannot make appropriate conclusions and
concrete actions.

15. Gospel reading: Luke 23:35-43
 35 The rulers sneered at Jesus and said, "He saved others, let
him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Messiah of God."
36 Even the soldiers jeered at him. As they approached to offer
him wine 37 they called out, "If you are King of the Jews, save
yourself." 38 Above him there was an inscription that read, "This
is the King of the Jews." 39 Now one of the criminals hanging
there reviled Jesus, saying, "Are you not the Messiah? Save
yourself and us." 40 The other, however, rebuking him, said in
reply, "Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same
condemnation? 41 And indeed, we have been condemned
justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes,
but this man has done nothing criminal." 42 Then he said,
"Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." 43
He replied to him, "Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me
in Paradise."
The focus is on the kingship of Christ.

16. Gospel reading: Luke 23,35-43
The rulers
 35 The rulers sneered at Jesus and said, "He saved others, let him
save himself if he is the chosen one, the Messiah of God."
The soldiers
 36 Even the soldiers jeered at him. As they approached to offer him
wine 37 they called out, "If you are King of the Jews, save yourself."
38 Above him there was an inscription that read, "This is the King of
the Jews."
The Criminals
 39 Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying,
"Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us." 40 The other,
however, rebuking him, said in reply, "Have you no fear of God, for
you are subject to the same condemnation? 41 And indeed, we
have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received
corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal."
42 Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your
kingdom."
Jesus the King
 43 He replied to him, "Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me
in Paradise."
A simple outline!

17. Gospel reading: Luke 23,35-43
The rulers
 35 The rulers sneered at Jesus and said,
"He saved others, let him save himself if he
is the chosen one, the Messiah of God."
The soldiers
 36 Even the soldiers jeered at him. As they
approached to offer him wine 37 they called
out, "If you are King of the Jews, save
yourself." 38 Above him there was an
inscription that read, "This is the King of the
Jews."
The Criminals
 39 Now one of the criminals hanging
there reviled Jesus, saying, "Are you not
the Messiah? Save yourself and us." 40
The other, however, rebuking him, said
in reply, "Have you no fear of God, for
you are subject to the same
condemnation? 41 And indeed, we have
been condemned justly, for the sentence
we received corresponds to our crimes,
but this man has done nothing criminal."
42 Then he said, "Jesus, remember me
when you come into your kingdom."
Jesus the King
 43 He replied to him, "Amen, I say to
you, today you will be with me in
Paradise."
Commentary
 The story belongs to the Passion
Narrative of Luke.
 The reading contrasts between two
kinds of people (sinners).
 The first kind: the one that sneers,
jeers and reviles (rulers, soldiers,
criminal at left)
 The second kind: the one that rebukes
fellow criminal, but believes in the
kingship of Christ.
 The criminal at right seems to
understand the meaning of Christ’s
kingdom and kingship.
 He sees the kingship of Christ in the
context of suffering and crucifixion.
 What a paradox!
 Jesus is not a king who rules it over,
not a king who eliminates his
enemies, not a king who does not
allow himself to be insulted, trampled
upon, and humiliated.

18. Reflections on the gospel reading
 The gospel reading highlights the kingship of Christ at
Mt. Calvary.
 Luke does not present Jesus as king when he
successfully preaches, casts out demons, debates with
the Pharisees and Sadducees.
 The gospel reading briefly develops the kingship of
Christ at the violent end of his life.
 Precisely, the keen reader must detect the theology
behind this.
 To be a king is to serve the nation, by making
necessary sacrifices.

19.  Like the criminal, we, too, sinners, can best
acknowledge Jesus as king, if we suffer with him, if we
are willing to carry our own crosses, if we are defeated
and humiliated and acknowledge this mystery.
 The solemnity of Christ the King can best be
celebrated, if we ourselves are willing to undergo the
same fate.
 We cannot be crucified like Christ, if we have not
advanced the kingdom of God through preaching,
teaching, healing and forgiving.

20. Tying the 3 readings and the Psalm
 The first reading is about the kingship of David.
People go to him to show their loyalty and
obedience and anoint him as their king.
 The psalm expresses joy in going to the seat of the
king (God) in the Jerusalem.
 The second reading describes the kingship of Jesus
in terms of his pre-eminence.
 The gospel reading describes how Jesus is
recognized as king on Mt. Calvary.

21. How to develop your homily / sharing
 Do you have a picture or statue of Christ the King
in your house?
 Do you join in the procession for Christ the King?
 How do you understand Christ as King?
 In what way Jesus is king?
 What is expected of a king?

22.  In the OT, as in the first reading, to be a king is
to lead, to shepherd (to protect) the people.
 The kingship of David was not forced, or taken
by deceit.
 It is also to represent God. He has to follow
God’s law.
 It is a big mistake to be autocratic, to rule
independently from God.

23.  The second reading is replete with descriptions
that refer to Christ as king.
 His kingship is all embracing, cosmic, he is not
just a king of this world.
 We attribute our existence through his pre-
eminence (kingship).
 We gain our victory, salvation, and deliverance
from him.

24.  The gospel portrays a different kind of kingship, that
which is crowned with thorns, not silver, gold and
diamond.
 Christ as king, his kingdom being not of this world,
submits himself to violent men and women. No one
defends him.
 His throne is the cross; he is surrounded not by
attendants, but by criminals.
 He is portrayed like a criminal, deserving a violent
death.
 There is no honor and glory where he stands /
hangs.
 His kingship is not at all triumphant and victorious. It
is a failure in the eyes of the world and of his
disciples.

25.  As Christians, we cannot really acknowledge or
recognize Christ as our king if we have not
participated in his mission and if we have not gone
with him in his Calvary.
 The criminal, in a mysterious way (how did he know?),
recognized him as sinless (thus he does not deserve to be
hanged) and having a kingdom (for the thief said remember
me in your kingdom).
 Where did he get the idea?
 In the way Jesus handled his enemies. The thief has been
exposed to him for some hours. He sensed something
unusual.
 Jesus passes the test up to the last moment. He does not
react to provocations. He does not play with their games. He
is focused.
 There is no meaning to the pictures of Christ the King
that we keep or the processions that we join, if we
miss the point of the gospel.

26.  Before we encourage people to join processions,
can we catechize them about Christ the King?
Sermons are not enough.
 We can do the same to the other feasts which we
lavishly celebrate in our parishes.

27.  In the eucharist, Jesus reminds us that his kingship
is not that of lording over or showing off power, but
of service.
 Jesus as king and shepherd comes to feed us with
his body and blood.
 In the eucharist, Jesus comes to govern us with his
rule of love and self-sacrifice.
 In the eucharist, as pilgrims, we humbly go to Jesus
to acknowledge him as our king and God.

28. Our Context of Sin and Grace
 Totalitarian government
 Autocratic
 Dictator
 Tyrant
 Authoritarian
 Dirty politician who want to
win in the elections by all
means (terrorism, vote
buying, ballot snatching, killing
of the opponent)
 Victimizes
 Subverts the will of the
people and of God
 Govern by authority, not by
reason
 Impulsive
 Absentee
 Service-oriented
 Principle of subsidiarity
 Works for the common
good
 Authority with compassion
 Nurturing, satisfying, life-
giving
 Loyal to God
 Willing to sacrifice
 Have self-control
Help rebuild people’s lives
affected by Yolanda.

29. Suggested Songs
 Lord Jesus Christ
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_uoXBzxgbc
 Christus Vincit
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kjFr2j7VmE
Problems (for reflection only)
http://youtu.be/s9KyBZmxF90

30.  Dear sisters and brothers,
 Christ is the King, not us.
 Fr. Cielo