Fr. Graham Writes: 23rd November 2025
This last Sunday of the liturgical year draws our attention to our goal - the Kingdom of God where Jesus reigns as King. It was the most recorded phrase of Jesus in the gospels and so it must have been in the forefront of His mind too. His birth, death and resurrection were all to bring His Kingdom to birth. He already reigned and He was already crowned as the anointed one (Christos). Yet His Kingdom was and still is hidden.
To prove this point, the gospel chosen for today is a moment of what looks like defeat - the crucifixion of Jesus. But even here, Jesus is King and reigns. He is doing the Father's will and reconciling us to God. We hear the words addressed to the "good" thief: "today you will be with me in paradise". These are surely words that we are desperate to hear ourselves. Jesus speaks with great authority. He has the right to give the order for He is the ruler of this kingdom which is not of this world and cannot be perceived with the senses. Yet, His kingdom grows whenever He is placed "before all things" and when He is "pre-eminent." It is His rightful place and He shares it with whoever He wishes. So to be with Him we have to be like Him. He does not lord it over us even though He is Lord. He doesn't control us even though He is the creator of heaven and earth. He doesn't fight us even though He has armies of powers, dominions and angels. He is humble and full of truth and mercy in which the fullness of God was pleased to dwell.
With my daily prayer for you all.
God bless you.
Fr Graham










