This week's theme: Jesus is crucified under the title King of the Jews.

From the desk of Ms. Kathleen Cook, Director of Religious Education
Theme: Luke 23:35-43 Jesus is crucified under the title King of the Jews.
 
Summary: Calvary is the scene for today’s gospel selection and the theme is forgiveness. Most specifically, the words of forgiveness are spoken to one of the criminals that is crucified alongside Jesus. You will notice that the criminal asks for forgiveness and does not presume it. He asks: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus’ reply is: “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” We can see from this very short passage that to be forgiven we must seek forgiveness with an integrity of heart and never presume forgiveness, even though we have an “all loving God”. If we offend someone that we know loves us, we are called to ask for forgiveness and not simply presume that because of their love we are forgiven of our offense.
Scripture: There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. Luke 23:38 
 
Crucified 0n each side of Jesus were two criminals. One of them mocked him saying, "If you are the Messiah, prove it. Save yourself—and us, too.”
But the other criminal said, "We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man has done nothing wrong." Then he turned to Jesus and said, "Remember me when you come into your Kingdom."
Jesus replied, "Today you will be with me in paradise."
Jesus, today we crown you King and make you Lord of our life. Amen.
Making the Connection (Grades 1, 2, and 3): Help younger children distinguish between earthly kings and Jesus, Our King and Savior.
 
Making the Connection (Grades 4, 5, and 6): We do not have kings or royalty in our culture, but Christ the King is different from all traditional notions of royalty. Christ is King because in his death and resurrection, he brought salvation to all humankind. We show that we are his followers when we live our lives accordingly.
 
Making the Connection (Grades 7 and 8): Young people at this age can be very competitive, and they understand that a trophy symbolizes strength and triumph. This Sunday's Gospel challenges our understanding of victory and strength.
 
My Promise to Jesus: Thank you, Jesus, for having given your life for us. Today, I will draw and decorate a cross to put in my prayer corner.
 
Reflect: If a word or phrase from the Gospel captures your heart, sit quietly for several minutes, repeating it to yourself and asking God to show you how it applies to your life.  How can teens find comfort in this passage or in following a “failed” King?
 
Suggested book that compliments today’s Gospel:
http://scu.edu/character/build-plant-grow/
The Forgiveness Garden
Written by Christy Hale
ISBN: 13:978-0809167654

Pray that you will always seek to be an element of forgiveness in whatever group you belong. You may wish to take the phrase of forgiveness from The Lord’s Prayer and make it a mantra prayer, saying over and over again “Forgive me Lord as I am willing to forgive others.”

Family Discussion: Understanding today's Feast of Christ the King may be particularly challenging. While we may not have a direct experience of kings or royalty, we have some sense of what these mean. We know that royalty have sovereignty over their kingdom. We know that those who are subjects to royalty offer them allegiance and honor. Christ is King in a way that is different from traditional understandings of royalty. Christ's kingship extends to all places, all people, and all times. Christ manifests his kingship through his death on the Cross, in which he offers salvation to all.

Recall with your children stories that you may have read about royalty. Talk with your children about what they have learned from these stories about what it means to be a king. Talk about what they have learned from these stories about what it means to be a subject.

Tell your children that this Sunday is the last Sunday in the Church Year, and on this Sunday, we celebrate a special feast called the Feast of Christ the King. Read today's Gospel, Luke 23:35-43. Reflect together on how the various people in this Gospel respond to Jesus on the Cross. Who in this Gospel recognizes Jesus as King? (the thief) What does Jesus promise the thief as a result? (The thief will be with Jesus in paradise.)

Talk about how your family will recognize and honor Christ the King. Pray together the Lord's Prayer and ask God to help your family to act in ways that show you recognize and honor Christ as King.