Author Topic: Long live, Christ the King  (Read 663 times)

hubag bohol

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Long live, Christ the King
« on: November 21, 2010, 10:53:31 AM »
In the service of the Word  

By Fr. Flor Lagura, SVD

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/lifestyle/lagura-long-live-christ-king


PILATE's eyes widened when he heard Jesus say, “Yes, I am a king, and for this purpose I was born. And I came to bring truth to the world. All who love the truth are my followers.” (John 18:37b)

At a time when many distrust politicians and governments, when business leaders are held in low esteem, and—sad to say—due to the scandals that have rocked the Church, people also distrust the clergy, there is an urgent longing for a dedicated and trustworthy leaders. We ask, then, what should be the qualities of a good leader?

First and foremost, a leader must show concern for his followers, a concern which is seen in the spirit of true service. With leadership power will necessarily follow, but a good leader will wield this power not to subdue or control others by lording it over them; rather, service shall be the yardstick for his rule.

Secondly, a leader must be decisive. After consulting with others and, above all, after laying it all before the Being who matters most, he must come to a decision. Jesus came to a painful but firm decision having agonized on his plan of action in the garden of Gethsemane as he exclaimed, “Father… not my will but yours be done!”(Luke 22:42)

Thirdly, he must be brave. In the words of the young David who proved himself fearless in facing danger and in fighting his foes, “Though I walk in the valley of darkness, I fear no evil, for you are at my side.”(Psalm 23:4)

Fourth and last, a true leader is humble and compassionate. When Gen. Robert Lee handed over his sword and pistol to the victorious leader of the Union Army--Gen. Ulysses Grant-- the latter acknowledged the gesture but declined the offer; magnanimous in victory, Grant ordered that every confederate soldier, in defeat, be allowed to retain sword, pistol and horse.

In the early part of the last century, when socialism, fascism and communism reared their ugly heads and caused untold misery among millions of people, Pope Pius IX declared the solemn feast of Christ the King on the 11th day of December, 1925. The global menace of dictatorships which trampled upon human dignity needed a solution from the Gospel itself.

Two years later, when Mexico’s president, Plutarco Calles, waged a most cruel persecution against the Church, among the 4,000 priests who met a martyr’s death was the Jesuit, Fr. Miguel Pro. Falsely accused of treason, the young Fr. Pro was condemned to death without the benefit of a fair trial. On the fateful day of November 23, 1927 Fr. Pro bravely faced and yet forgave the members of the firing squad. Firmly refusing to be blindfolded he courageously exclaimed as bullets riddled his body, “Long live, Christ the King!”(Viva, Cristo Rey!)

Our world craves for good leaders, be it in politics, in business or in the Church. In Christ, the King, we have a leader who thinks not of himself primarily, but of the good of those he rules. And he rules by serving them, even giving his life for them.

“Then Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my followers would have fought when I was arrested by the Jewish leaders. But my kingdom is not of this world.” Pilate replied, “So, you are a king?” Jesus said, “Yes, I was born for that purpose. I came to bring truth to the world. All who love the truth are my followers.” John 18:36-37.


Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on November 21, 2010.



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Lorenzo

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Re: Long live, Christ the King
« Reply #1 on: November 21, 2010, 01:18:20 PM »
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